KOHIMA: The Union Government on Tuesday prolonged the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) to Nagaland's Meluri district for six months. It comes in the wake of a recent extension of the law to various other locations in the state, increasing its scope in the region.
The extension follows only two days after AFSPA was applied in eight districts and 21 police station areas in five other Nagaland districts.
In a formal notification, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs declared that Meluri, which was formed in November 2024 by being cut out from Phek district, would now be a 'disturbed area.'
This comes after the March 30 declaration of Phek district as a 'disturbed area,' and seven other districts. The notification also stated that from April 1, 2025, Meluri would come under the purview of AFSPA for six months unless withdrawn earlier by the government.
AFSPA confers sweeping powers on the military personnel who are deployed in 'disturbed areas,' such as the power to search houses, make arrests, and even kill in self-defence without prosecution unless specifically authorized by the Centre.
The Act has been controversial since its enactment, with critics contending that its provisions provide immunity to security forces at the cost of human rights.
AFSPA's extension is not exclusive to Nagaland; it has been similarly adopted in other Northeast Indian states. The law is active throughout Manipur, excluding 13 police station areas, and has been extended to more districts in Arunachal Pradesh.
The move to implement AFSPA in these areas comes after an evaluation of the existing law and order situation, with authorities seeking to tighten security arrangements amid continued unrest.
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