Extended in 16 police stations across state for 6 months
DIMAPUR, MARCH 25 (MExN): The Central Government has withdrawn the application of the ‘Disturbed Area’ tag under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from 3 police stations in Nagaland, which will come into effect from April 1, 2023. This was informed in a press release from the Press and Information Bureau (PIB) today.
This latest de-notification of AFSPA comes in addition to the 15 police stations in 7 districts of the State, where the Act was revoked on April 1, 2022. Official sources informed that the latest 3 police stations where the Act was de-notified include Sungro PS (Wokha district), Akuluto PS (Zunheboto district) and VK Town PS (Zunheboto district).
In 2022, AFSPA was revoked completely from Tuensang, Shamator and Tseminyu districts, while it was partially withdrawn from Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung and Longleng districts. With the latest notification, partial withdrawal has also come into effect in Zunheboto (2 police stations).
In total now, AFSPA has been revoked from 18 police stations spanning across 8 districts of Nagaland.
In addition to Nagaland, the Centre further informed that from April 1, 2023, the Act will be imposed in only 8 districts of Assam; and would be removed from 4 police stations in Manipur.
Meanwhile a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs declared nine districts and 16 police stations in four other districts of Nagaland as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months.
In another notification, the Home Ministry declared Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering the state of Assam as 'disturbed area'.
The AFSPA, which allows the Army and other central para-military forces to conduct raids and operations, and arrest anyone anywhere without prior notice or arrest warrant, was in force in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur barring the Imphal municipal council area and certain districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
It was completely lifted from Tripura in 2015, in Meghalaya in 2018, and in Mizoram in the 1980s.
The PIB press release meanwhile, quoted Union Home Minister, Amit Shah as stating that there has been a significant improvement in the security situation in the North-Eastern states and pace of the development has increased.
“Compared to the year 2014, there is a reduction of 76% in the extremist incidents in the year 2022. Similarly, the deaths of security personnel and civilians have come down by 90% and 97% respectively during this period,” he informed.
During the last 4 years, the Home Minister said that to realize Prime Minister Modi's “dream of a peaceful, prosperous and developed North East, the Ministry of Home Affairs has signed several historic agreements, which have resolved decades-old problems.”
“As a result of which, most of the extremists groups expressing faith in the Constitution of the country and the policies of the government led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi have laid down their arms and became partners in the peace and development of the North East. From 2014 till now around 7,000 insurgents have surrendered,” he said.
