- NEW DELHI — The Centre on Tuesday imposed for
six months the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland's Meluri district,
two days after the law was extended to eight districts and 21 police station
areas in five other districts of the state.
- In a notification, the Union home ministry said in November,
2024, the Nagaland government had created the district of Meluri by carving it
out of Phek district, which has been declared a 'disturbed area' on March 30,
along with seven other districts.
- "Therefore, in partial modification of notification
number S.O. 1536 dated 30th March, 2025,
the district Meluri is also declared as 'disturbed area' under section 3 of the
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) for a period of 6 months
with affect from 1st April, 2025 unless withdrawn earlier," the
notification said.
Also read: AFSPA extended in eight districts and 21 police stations in Nagaland
AFSPA extended in Manipur, parts of Nagaland, Arunachal for another 6 months
- The AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas
sweeping powers and immunity from prosecution unless approved by the Centre.
- 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 special law was on Sunday extended for six months in
entire Manipur, except the jurisdictions of 13 police stations, in view of the
law and order situation there.
- It was also extended to Tirap, Changlang and Longding
districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas in Namsai
district in the state for six months beginning April 1 after a review of the
law and order situation in these northeastern states.
