Centre Extends AFSPA In Nagaland’s 8 Districts, 21 Police Station Areas In 5 Other Districts For 6 Months

The central government has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in eight districts and 21 police station areas falling under five other districts of Nagaland for a period of six months.

The central government has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in eight districts and 21 police station areas falling under five other districts of Nagaland for a period of six months. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification declared these as "disturbed areas" with effect from April 1 to September 30 this year, unless withdrawn earlier, reported ANI citing the MHA order. 

The notification was issued on Friday, mentioning Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren districts of Nagaland where it has extended the AFSPA for the next six months. 

Apart from these, the AFSPA has also been extended in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland. They are as follows: 

Six police stations each in Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts 

Five police stations in Kohima 

Three police stations in Wokha; and Yanglok police station in Longleng district. 

As per ANI, these 21 police stations comprise Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem, and Anaki 'C' police stations in Mokokchung district; Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto district; Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima district; Bhandari, Champang, and Ralan police stations in Wokha district; and Yanglok police station in Longleng district. 

The notification read, "Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts in Nagaland and the areas in Nagaland falling within the jurisdiction of (i) Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima District; (ii) Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki 'C' police stations in Mokokchung District; (iii) Yanglok police station in Longleng District; (iv) Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha District; and (v) Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto, and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto District, 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3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2023, unless withdrawn earlier." 

The decision has been taken following a further review of the law and order situation in the state of Nagaland. 

Earlier, the Central Government in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) had declared nine districts and 16 Police Stations in four other districts of Nagaland as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022.