AFSPA extended in parts of Nagaland for another 6 months, ‘Disturbed area’ tag lifted from 3 PS

New Delhi: As situation improve, more Police Station areas can be expected to be removed from the application of AFSPA and Disturbed areas: Y. Patton

BY | Saturday, 25 March, 2023

The Government of India has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in 8 districts and 21 Police Stations in 4 districts in Nagaland for a period of 6 months with effect from 1 April 2023, unless withdrawn, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified on Friday. The existing order expires on 30 March 2023.

In the revised list, Centre has removed ‘disturbed area’ tag from three Police Stations – Sungro under Wokha district, and V.K. Town and Akuluto in Zunheboto district.

As per the new order, the districts under the ‘disturbed area’ status are Dimapur, Niuland, Chümoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts in Nagaland and the areas in Nagaland falling within the jurisdiction of 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, Dimapur, Nuiland, Chümoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Peren and Zunheboto districts and jurisdictions of police stations– under Kohima district: Khuzama, North and South PS, Zubza and Kezocha; Mokokchung district: Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’; Longleng district: Yanglok PS and Wokha district: Bhandari, Changpang, Ralan and Sungro. and Ralan police stations in Wokha District; Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto District.

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On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland Yanthungo Patton had stated that after the Oting incident, the MHA committee set up to review AFSPA had proposed lifting of AFSPA in 15 Police Station jurisdictions of the state.

“As things continue to unfold and improve, with decreased factional violence, more Police Station areas can be expected to be removed from the application of AFSPA and Disturbed areas. This will place additional burden and responsibility on Nagaland Police. On the other hand, the removal of AFSPA would mean curtailment of resources and fund allocation to Nagaland Police under the SRE schemes of the Government of India. Against this backdrop, the Nagaland Police may have to shoulder additional responsibilities, with slightly diminished resources,” added Patton.

In a visit to Nagaland on 6 January this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that process of repealing AFSPA from Nagaland has already started in a very gradual manner.

On 8 October 2022, Shah had also stated that the BJP-led government would remove AFSPA only after installing peace in northeast India. He added that the government is trying to strengthen internal security so that there is no need for Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the region.

Read more: Dy. CM Y Patton urges for reforms in Nagaland Police

AFSPA will be withdrawn only after installing peace: Amit Shah

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