Centre extends AFSPA in Nagaland for six months

New Delhi, December 30, 2021

The Centre on Thursday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland till June 30 next year.

According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): "Whereas the Central Government is of the opinion that the entire area comprising the whole of the state 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 Power) Act, 1958 (No. 28 of 1958), the Central Government hereby declares that the whole of the State of Nagaland to be 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from 30th Decmber, 2021, for the purpose of the said Act," the notification reads further.

This comes amid the protests for the withdrawal of the AFSPA going on in several districts of Nagaland ever since an Army unit killed 14 civilians in Mon district earlier this month, mistaking them for insurgents.

On December 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting to discuss the present scenario in Nagaland with the Chief Ministers of Nagaland, Assam and other officials of the states and the Ministry and decided to form a committee to look into the withdrawal of AFSPA in Nagaland. The committee is to submit its report in 45 days.

The Nagaland Assembly recently adopted an unanimous resolution to remove this Act.

IANS