The Central government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and eight districts of Nagaland by another six months.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in a Gazette Notification dated September 25 said that the decision was taken after reviewing the law and order situations in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Besides the three districts in Arunachal Pradesh, the Government has also declared areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, bordering Assam as “disturbed area”.
The MHA notification said, “The Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) had declared the 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 as ‘disturbed area’ with effect from 01.04.2024”.
“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Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from 01.10.2024, unless withdrawn earlier,” the notification said.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has also declared eight districts and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months.
The districts are Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren.
Moreover, the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Khuzamam Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police station in Kohima district; Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung District; Yanglok police station in Longleng district; Bhandari Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha district and Ghatashi, Pubhoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zuheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto district are declared as ‘”isturbed area” for a period of six months, said the notification.
