Deputy Chief Minister (Home) Y. Patton on Monday said that the whole Nagaland has not been declared as “Disturbed Area”.

Patton was responding to a supplementary question raised by NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon on ‘Disturbed Areas’ in Nagaland and Border areas.

Mentioning that in view of the law and order and peaceful situation across the state, for a long time and the ongoing ceasefire between the Government of India (GoI) and various Naga groups for many years, Patton stated that the State Government has been regularly recommending the Government of India for declaring any area of the State as “Disturbed Area” and keeping Nagaland outside the purview of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

The Deputy Chief Minister said the GoI till now has taken the area of 18 police stations outside the purview of AFSPA out of the 75 police stations.

Those 18 PSs include Ciephobozou PS in Kohima district; Tseminyu PS in Tseminyu; Wokha PS, Sanis PS and Sungro PS in Wokha; Mokokchung PS-II, Kubolong PS and Changtonya PS in Mokokchung; VK Town PS and Akuluto PS in Zunheboto; Longleng PS and Tamlu PS in Longleng; Tuensang PS, Longkhim PS, Noksen PS and Sansungyu PS in Tuensang; Shamator PS and Chessore PS in Shamator district.

Responding to Kikon who had asked for assurance of removal of AFSPA from entire Nagaland, Patton said the decision lies with the GoI and he is not in a position to give any assurance on the floor of the House.

With regard to the progress of construction of Ethung Post under Bhandari Sub division, Patton said the construction is in progress and assured Kikon that it will be completed and inaugurated before Christmas.

On the matter of upgradation of the Merapani Border Magistrate, Patton responded, “There is no proposal at present.”