Central Government Extends AFSPA In Arunachal Pradesh: 3 Districts, 3 Police Stations Covered For 6 Months

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, of 1958, has been extended to three districts and areas under the jurisdiction of three police stations in another district of Arunachal Pradesh for six months, designating them as ‘disturbed areas’ effective from April 1, 2024, unless withdrawn earlier. The Ministry announced Tirap, Changlang, and Longding as the three districts where AFSPA has been extended for the next six months.

In a recent notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday, it was stated, “Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh, along with the areas within the purview of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering the State of Assam, are designated as ‘disturbed areas’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for six months starting from April 1, 2024, unless terminated earlier.”

This resolution comes in the wake of a security reassessment of these districts in Arunachal Pradesh. Previously, the Central Government had labeled Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh, as well as regions under the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, adjacent to Assam, as ‘disturbed areas’ for six months commencing from October 1, 2023.

The act empowers the Indian Army with special authority to uphold peace in regions identified as “disturbed” by the Central government, with the power to use lethal force against individuals breaking the law, to detain and search premises without needing a warrant, and to protect themselves from legal consequences without Central government authorization.