31.12.21

AFSPA extended in Nagaland

Days after itset up a committee to review the application of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Nagaland, and amid calls for its scrapping as the Manipur elections approach, the Centre has declared the entire state as a “disturbed area” under AFSPA for a further period of six months until June 30, 2022, in accordance with its security assessments.

Stating that the central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland “is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary”, the Centre, through a gazette notification issued on Thursday, declared the whole state to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from December 30, 2021.

The Centre, through a gazette notification issued on Thursday, declared the whole state to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months. This is an extention of the ongoing AFSPA and does not bring any new areas under its jurisdiction.

The decision to continue the enforcement of AFSPA across the whole of Nagaland comes amid shrill demands to withdraw the Act from the state in view of the killing of over a dozen civilians in Mon district by 21 Para-Special Forces, allegedly due to “mistaken identity”.

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