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

Centre extended AFSPA in eight districts and 21 police stations across five other districts in Nagaland, with effect from April 1.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, on Wednesday, issued a notification extending the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, in eight districts and 21 police stations across five other districts of Nagaland after declaring them as "disturbed areas" under section 3 of the AFSPA. The act has been extended for a period of six months starting from April 1. The decision was taken by the ministry after reviewing the law and order situation in the state, the notification stated.

The eight districts where the centre has decided to maintain the status quo by extending the act include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Kiphire, Phek, Mon, Noklak, and Peren districts in Nagaland.

Additionally, the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 21 police stations across five other districts that have been included are:

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 Mokokehung 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

Centre To Revoke AFSPA In J&K

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday stated that the Centre government will reconsider revoking the AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that the government has plans to pull back troops in the J&K and leave the law and order of the UT to its police alone. 

"Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir police were not trusted but today they are leading the operations," Shah said, adding that the government "will also think of revoking AFSPA."

JKNC leader and former CM Omar Abdullah commented on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement saying, "I fear that the way people of Ladakh were misled and betrayed over the issue of Sixth Schedule, similarly false promises are being made to people of Jammu and Kashmir concerning AFSPA due to elections."

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday welcomed Home Minister Amit Shah's statement saying, "Better late than never but only if it isn't jumlebaazi like generating two crore jobs every year or empty promises of depositing 15 lacs into bank accounts."

What is AFSPA?

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 gives the armed forces personnel operating in disturbed areas, sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary in order to maintain public order. For this, an area or district must be notified as disturbed under the act to facilitate the operations of the armed forces.