AFSPA extended in 8 Nagaland districts

September 27, 2024 2 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 27 (MExN): The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in eight districts of Nagaland, along with various police stations in five other districts. The notification, dated September 25 states that the areas will be categorized as “disturbed areas” for six months starting October 1 as per the powers granted under Section 3 of the AFSPA.

The districts affected by this declaration include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren. Additionally, several police stations within the jurisdictions of Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts have also been included. The areas falling under the police stations of Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza, and Kezocha in Kohima district, as well as Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem, and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung district are among those listed.

Other regions include the Yanglok police station in Longleng district, Bhandari, Chumpang, and Ralan police stations in Wokha district, and Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto district.
The act will remain in force in these regions for a period of six months, effective from October 1, 2024, unless revoked earlier by the government.

In a separate notification, the home ministry said under the AFSPA, the central government had declared Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam as ‘disturbed area’ with effect from April 1, 2024.
A further review of the law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh has been undertaken, it said.

“Now, therefore, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering the state of Assam, are declared as ‘disturbed area’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2024 unless withdrawn earlier,” the notification said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said the AFSPA has been removed in 70 per cent areas in the northeastern states even though it is in force in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah had also said that the central government would consider revoking AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir.

There have been demands from various organisations and individuals in Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states to revoke the AFSPA.