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Centre extends AFSPA in Nagaland
Why is it in the news ?
- The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the operation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland for another six months, declaring the state to be a “disturbed area”.
More in the news
- AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice.
- In a notification, the Home Ministry said the Central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civilian power is necessary.
- A Home Ministry official said the decision has been taken as killings, loot and extortion have been going on in various parts of the State which necessitated the action.
- There have been demands from various organisations in the Northeast as well as in Jammu and Kashmir for repealing the controversial AFSPA, which, they say, gives ‘sweeping powers’ to security forces.
- The Act has been in force in Nagaland for several decades now and was not withdrawn even after a framework agreement was signed in 2015 by Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM and government.
- It also remains in force in Assam, most of Manipur, and eight police stations of Arunachal Pradesh.
Source
The Hindu.