AFSPA Extended For Six Months In 'Disturbed Areas' Of Nagaland, Three Districts Of Arunachal Pradesh

According to the new notification by the Ministry of External Affairs, the government has extended AFSPA in the disturbed areas of the state like Dimapur, Mon and Noklak for another six months. 

Kohima, Nagaland, North East India (Getty image)

New Delhi: The Centre Friday issued a notification regarding the 'disturbed areas' of Nagaland where Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will continue to remain imposed, reported news agency ANI.

According to the new notification by the Ministry of External Affairs, the government has extended AFSPA in the disturbed areas of the state like Dimapur, Mon and Noklak for another six months. 

Ministry of Home Affairs issues notification regarding the 'disturbed areas' in Nagaland where AFSPA will continue to remain imposed for another six months pic.twitter.com/daBIemyI8V

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2022

In a similar notification the MHA has extended AFSPA in 3 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and areas under Namsai & Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai dist, bordering Assam, have been declared disturbed by the government, reported ANI. 

Govt extends AFSPA in 3 districts of Arunachal Pradesh

Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts & areas under Namsai & Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai dist, bordering Assam, are declared as ‘disturbed area’ u/s 3 of AFSPA from April 1 to Sep 30, unless withdrawn earlier: MHA pic.twitter.com/gNdaXMIRlc

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2022

Earlier on Thursday, the Centre reduced the disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades. The Disturbed Area Notification was withdrawn from 15 police stations in seven districts of Nagaland.

The move by the government was taken after the improved security situation in the northeast region.

"In comparison to 2014, there has been a reduction of 74 per cent in militancy incidents in 2021. Similarly, deaths of security personnel and civilians have also come down by 60 per cent and 84 per cent respectively during this period," the notification read, as reported by ANI.

The notification also highlighted the efforts taken by the government like holding dialogues with all the states of the region on a regular basis to normalise the situation in the region.

"As a result, most of the extremist groups have laid down their arms expressing their faith in the Constitution of India and the policies of the Modi government. Today all these persons have become a part of the democratic process and are participating in the development of the North East. About 7,000 militants have surrendered in the last few years," the release read.