The controversial and draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for another six months in entire Nagaland.
In a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry on Monday stated the entire state of Nagaland as ‘disturbed area’ for six more months, till June-end.
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Accordingly, the act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice.
The Central Government was of the opinion that the whole of Nagaland is in a ‘disturbed and dangerous condition’ that the use of armed forces in aid of civilian power is necessary.
The notification further stated that, ‘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 December 30, 2018, for the purpose of that Act’.
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According to Home Ministry sources the decision to continue AFSPA in Nagaland was necessitated as killings, loot and extortion have been going on in various parts of the State.
Notably, the AFSPA has been in force in Nagaland along with several other north-eastern states, either in whole or in parts, for several decades now.