Government Extends AFSPA for Six Months in Key Districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh Amid Security Review
AFSPA Extended in Eight Nagaland Districts, Three in Arunachal Pradesh Following Security Assessment
NEW DELHI, Sep 26: The Government of India has extended the applicability of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in specific areas of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for an additional six months, following a review of the prevailing law and order situation. AFSPA allows certain regions to be declared as “disturbed areas,” which grants the armed forces special powers to maintain public order, including the authority to search, arrest, and, if deemed necessary, use force.
According to the Union Home Ministry’s notification, eight districts and 21 police stations in five additional districts of Nagaland have been declared disturbed under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for a six-month period starting from October 1, 2024. These districts include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren, along with specific police stations in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts.
Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, the AFSPA has been extended to cover Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, as well as areas within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, which borders Assam. The six-month extension, effective from October 1, 2024, is also subject to earlier withdrawal if circumstances improve.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah previously announced that AFSPA had been removed from 70% of the northeastern region but remains in force in areas where security threats persist. He also mentioned that the central government is considering its revocation in Jammu and Kashmir. This comes amid ongoing demands from various civil society organizations and political groups in both Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states for the complete repeal of AFSPA, citing concerns over human rights and its potential misuse.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been a contentious issue, with proponents arguing that it is essential for combating insurgency and maintaining public order, while critics highlight its potential for abuse and its impact on civil liberties.
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