Centre declares Nagaland as 'Disturbed Area' for next 6 months

New Delhi: The Central government on Wednesday declared entire Nagaland a "disturbed area" for six more months, enabling the continuation of Armed Forces (Special Forces) Act (AFSPA) which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been in force in Nagaland for several decades.

A Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, that the Government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a 'disturbed and dangerous condition" that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.

"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (No. 28 of 1958), the central government hereby declares that whole of the State of Nagaland to be "disturbed area" for a period of six months with effect from 30th June, 2021for the purpose of the said Act," the notification said. (UNI)