Nagaland declared as "Disturbed area", AFSPA extended for 6 months

New Delhi:Centre on Wednesday again declared  the entire Nagaland State as 'Disturbed Areas' for the next six months under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act with effect from December 30, 2020.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without prior notice.

 According to the Gazette notification issued on December 30, the Union Home Ministry said that  the Central Government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of the State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary now.

Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (No. 28 of 1958) the Central Government hereby declares that whole of the State of Nagaland to be 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from 30th December, 2020 for the purpose of the said Act, the Home Ministry further said in the Gazette notification.

The AFSPA has been in force in the Northeast since 1958. Nagaland acquired statehood in 1963  and the last time it was imposed on  June 30 this year.(UNI)