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MHA extends AFSPA in some parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal

The AFSPA, which is imposed in areas declared "disturbed", has also been extended to eight districts in Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state for six months, according to a notification issued by the Union home ministry.

The AFSPA, often criticised as a draconian law, gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday extended the ‘Disturbed Areas’ notification under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to all of Manipur barring jurisdictions of 13 police stations, for six months.

The notification was was extended in Arunachal’s Tirap, Changlang and Longding, and three police stations in Namsai district. It was also extended to eight districts and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland.

The notification was issued on Wednesday and will come into effect from April 1. The MHA has maintained the status quo in the extent of ‘Disturbed Areas’ in these three states.

The notification is applicable for a period of six months, following which it can be periodically extended by the MHA after assessing the situation.

In November last year, the MHA had extended the ‘Disturbed Areas’ notification in conflict-stricken Manipur. It had earlier been in place for entire Manipur except for 19 police stations.

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