New Order : 9 Districts In Nagaland , And 3 Districts In Arunachal Pradesh For Six Months To Remain Under AFSPA

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The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh including Tirap, Changlang, and Longding from April 1 to September 30 this year, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In addition, the Government of India has also extended AFSPA in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Arunachal Pradesh.

“The Central Government in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 had declared the Tirap, Changlang, Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district, bordering the State of Assam as ‘disturbed’ areas,” the notification read.

The review of the law and order situation in these areas of Arunachal Pradesh has been undertaken by the AFSPA as per the Centre’s notification.

“A further review of law and order situation in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations of Arunachal Pradesh has been undertaken,” it said.

The Centre has declared these areas as “disturbed” areas under section 3 of ASFPA, 1958 from April 1 to September 30, 2022, unless withdrawn earlier.

In another move, The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notification enlisting the ‘disturbed areas’ in Nagaland where Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) will continue to remain imposed for another six months.

The MHA, in its gazette notification dated April 1, 2022, suppressed its older order of declaring the whole of the state of Nagaland as a ‘disturbed area’, and has withdrawn 15 police stations in seven districts in the state from the status with effect from April 1.

In the Gazette Order, the MHA has listed nine districts, including Mon, that will remain under the AFSPA for another six months. Parts of other districts will also continue to remain under AFSPA. These districts are namely Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Zunheboto.