The Centre has declared Nagaland as ‘Disturbed Area’ for another six more months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act with effect from December 30, 2020.
In a gazette notification, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the Centre was of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of the state of Nagaland was in “such a disturbed and dangerous condition” that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power was necessary.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the AFSPA, 1958 (No.28 of 1958), the Central Government hereby declares that the 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,” stated the notification.
AFSPA, which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice, has been in force in Nagaland for six decades now.