Nagaland declared as ‘disturbed area’ for 6 more months

January 1, 2018 317 Views No Comment

Despite the Nagaland government recommending against further extension of Disturbed Area Act, the entire Nagaland has been declared as “disturbed area” for six more months, till June- end, under the controversial AFSPA, which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice.

In a gazette notification, the Union Home Ministry said it is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a “disturbed and dangerous condition” that use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (No. 28 of 1958), the central government hereby declares that whole of the said State to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from December 30, 2017 for the purpose of that Act,” the notification said.

A home ministry official said the decision to continue the declaration of Nagaland as “disturbed area” has been taken as killings, loot and extortion have been going in various parts of the state which necessitated the action for the convenience of the security forces operating there.

This is in stark contrast to what the Nagaland government had earlier written to the Union Home Ministry. The Naga Republic reports that earlier the Government of Nagaland had opposed the extension of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act (AFSPA) in the state while asserting that Nagaland is no longer a “disturbed area”.

The Home Ministry had sought the opinion of the state government on extending it further in the state.

In a letter written to the Union Home Secretary, the Special Secretary of Nagaland S R Saravnan said, “In reference to your letter no. 7.10.20003NE-I (Pt) dated October 5, 2017, I am directed to inform you that government of Nagaland is opposed to the proposals for extension of notification declaring Nagaland as disturbed area.”

The Special Secretary pointed out, “The overall situation in Nagaland is by and large peaceful compared to other states of the country. The law enforcement agencies of the state are satisfactorily dispensing its duties.”

While opposing the extension of the AFSPA, he referred, “Most of underground factions are in truce with Government of India, except NSCN (K). The joining of six Naga National Political Groups in the ongoing peace-talks on the Naga political issue and support of civil society organization is significant sign of peaceful atmosphere.”

The letter of the Special Secretary, written to the Home Ministry on November 13, said, “In view of the relatively peaceful situation, the state government is of the view that extension of notification declaring Nagaland as disturbed area is not necessary.”

There have been demands from various organisations in the Northeast as well as in Jammu and Kashmir for repealing the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which, they say, gives “sweeping powers” to security forces.

The AFSPA has been in force in Nagaland for several decades. It has not been withdrawn even after a framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 by Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the government’s interlocutor R N Ravi in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The framework agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years with the first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland.

Naga Republic News with inputs from PTI