The Central government has prolonged the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, to encompass eight districts and 21 police stations across five districts of Nagaland, designating them as ‘disturbed areas’ for the forthcoming six months, effective from April 1 this year, unless rescinded beforehand.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conveyed this decision through a notification, stipulating that the AFSPA would remain in force for the subsequent six months in Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren districts of Nagaland.
Moreover, the AFSPA’s extension encompasses regions falling within the jurisdiction of 21 police stations spanning five districts of Nagaland. These include six police stations each in Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts, five police stations in Kohima, three police stations in Wokha, and the Yanglok police station in Longleng district.
These 21 police stations encompass Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza, and Kezocha police stations in Kohima district; Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem, and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung district; Yanglok police station in Longleng district; Bhandari, Champang, and Ralan police stations in Wokha district; and Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto, and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto district.
A part of the notification reads, “Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren districts in Nagaland and the areas in Nagaland falling within the jurisdiction of 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 Mokokchung 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, are declared as ‘disturbed area’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2023, unless withdrawn earlier.”
This measure was undertaken by the Centre subsequent to a comprehensive review of the prevailing law and order scenario in the state of Nagaland. Previously, the Central Government had declared eight districts and 21 Police Stations in five other districts of Nagaland as ‘disturbed areas’ for a six-month duration commencing from October 1, 2023, in accordance with Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958).
The AFSPA confers authority upon security forces to apprehend individuals without a warrant, conduct searches and enter premises without prior authorization, among other actions.
