After Nagaland, Centre Extends AFSPA In Arunachal's 3 Districts, 3 Police Stations For Next 6 Months

The Act gives special powers to the Indian Army to maintain peace in areas, which were considered “disturbed” by the Centre.

The Centre on Thursday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in parts of Arunachal Pradesh for another six months, beginning April 1. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement. Earlier in the day, the act was further extended for eight Nagaland districts, declaring them as "disturbed areas" in accordance with Section 3 of AFSPA. 

The Act gives the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces deployed in "disturbed areas" the authority to kill anyone who violates the law, to arrest and search any premises without a warrant, and to shield themselves from prosecution and legal action without the approval of the Central government.

"Three districts and the areas falling under the jurisdictions of three police stations in another district of Arunachal Pradesh for six months with effect from April 1," the statement said. 

The districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in the Namsai district of the state, bordering the State of Assam have been deemed as the "disturbed area", where the AFSPA has been extended. 

READ | Centre Extends AFSPA In 8 Districts, 21 Police Stations In Nagaland For 6 More Months

What Is AFSPA?

The Armed Forces Special Powers (Assam and Manipur) Act, 1958; the Armed Forces (Punjab and Chandigarh) Special Powers Act, 1983; and the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Act were the three separate acts that implemented AFSPA in "disturbed areas" of the country.

AFSPA has been implemented in the Northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab during the militancy years. It was repealed first in Punjab, then in Tripura and Meghalaya, respectively. It remained in force in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

It is to be noted that the act gives special powers to the Indian Army to maintain peace in areas, which were considered “disturbed” by the Centre.

The Act has remained in controversy for years due to the fact that it empowers security personnel to use force and shoot as deemed fit to maintain public order. It also grants soldiers executive powers to enter premises, search, and arrest without a warrant based on "reasonable suspicion". The act further allows the armed forces to open fire against any person in contravention of the law or carrying arms and ammunition.

The Supreme Court upheld the AFSPA's constitutionality in a 1998 order, ruling that the Central government can issue a suo motu declaration. The apex court held that the Centre should consult with the state government before making such a declaration.