The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on Tuesday extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 (28 of 1958) in Nagaland for another six months with effect from 1st October 2023. It stated that the extension follows a “review of the law and order situation in the state of Nagaland”.

The suppressive AFSPA will be continued to be imposed in eight districts and 21 police stations in the State. The areas in the five other districts of Nagaland that fall in the jurisdiction of the 21 police stations will fall in the ‘disturbed area’ category, the Ministry said.

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The eight districts include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren while the 21 Police stations in the five districts are 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.

AFSPA allows security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives certain level of immunity to security forces in case of an operation going wrong.