Due to uncertainty over the Nagaland peace process, the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) was extended in some parts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months.
- Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district along the Assam border, are declared as “disturbed areas” under Section 3 of the AFSPA 1958 for a period of six months from October 1.
Key points
- Effective April 1, 2022, the Union Home Ministry and the State governments had considerably reduced “disturbed areas” in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
- The AFSPA was applicable in whole of Nagaland and Assam till March 31.
- Under Section 3 of the Act, the State governments and the Ministry of Home Affairs have concurrent powers to notify areas under the AFSPA.
- In Assam, the Ministry was issuing the “disturbed area” order till 2017. Since then, Assam has been renewing the notification every six months. The latest was issued on March 31.
- On September 30, the MHA extended the AFSPA in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six months.
- The AFSPA gives unbridled powers to the armed forces to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant and protection from prosecution and legal suits without the Central government’s sanction.
- The Government of India is engaged in discussions with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) and seven Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) to find a solution to the Naga political issue.
- The AFSPA was first revoked from 60% of Assam on April 1.
- Tripura revoked the Act in 2015 and Meghalaya was under the AFSPA for 27 years, until it was revoked by the Ministry on April 1, 2018.
(Source: The Hindu)
