The Centre has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months in Nagaland.
In a notification, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said the central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole 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 said State to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from June 30, 2019 for the purpose of that Act,” the notification issued on Sunday said.
The entire state of Nagaland has been declared a “disturbed area” for six more months, till December-end, under the controversial AFSPA which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without prior notice.
A few days back, amid controversy, the Centre has ruled out all possibility that AFSPA would be repealed from Northeast.