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AFSPA extended in Nagaland for six more months
Why is it in news?
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the entire State of Nagaland as a “disturbed area” for six more months, under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).
More in news
- Notification by MHA: In a notification, the MHA said the central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole state of Nagaland is in such a “disturbed and dangerous condition” that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
- What is AFSPA?
(1) The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and it was approved by the President on September 11, 1958. It became known as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.
(2) The Act came into force in the context of increasing violence in the North-eastern States decades ago, which the State governments found difficult to control.
(3) AFSPA gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
(4) They have the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more persons in an area, can use force or even open fire after giving due warning if they feel a person is in contravention of the law.
(5) If reasonable suspicion exists, the army can also arrest a person without a warrant; enter or search premises without a warrant; and ban the possession of firearms
- What is a disturbed area?
(1) A disturbed area is one which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA.
(2) It can be invoked in places where the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
(3) The Central Government, or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.
- Present status of AFSPA
(1) Presently, AFSPA, 1958, is operational in the entire States of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (except Imphal Municipal area), three districts namely Tirap, Changlang and Longding of Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of the eight police stations in the districts of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering the State of Assam.
(2) The notification declaring Manipur and Assam as “Disturbed Areas’ has been issued by the State governments.
(3) For Nagaland, the notification is issued by the MHA.
Source
The Hindu, Indian Express