No need to extend AFSPA: Nagaland

It is no longer a disturbed state, Naga govt tells MHA

The Nagaland government has opposed the extension of Armed Forces ( Special Powers) Act ( AFSPA) in the state beyond December, asserting that the state is no longer a “disturbed area”.

The Nagaland People’s Front ( NPF)- led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government, which is supported by the BJP, cited the prevailing calm and the ongoing peace- talks as the reasons for repealing the controversial law which gives “sweeping powers” to the security forces to act against “civilians”.

The AFSPA was last extended in the state for six months on June 30. The controversial Act, enacted in 1958, has been repeatedly extended in Nagaland over the decades.

Security sources said that the Union home ministry had last month sought the opinion of the state government on extending the Act.

In June this year, the Union home ministry had extended the AFSPA for six months in Nagaland

In a significant move, the government of Nagaland has opposed the extension of Armed Forces ( Special Power) Act ( AFSPA) in the state while asserting that Nagaland is no longer a “disturbed area”.

Informing that the entire state was declared as a disturbed area and term of AFSPA was extended for six months on June 30 this year, security sources told this newspaper that the home ministry had sought the opinion of the state government on extending it further in the state.

In a letter written to the Union home secretary, the special secretary of Nagaland S. R. Saravnan said, “In reference to your letter no. 7.10.20003NE- I ( Pt) dated October 5, 2017, I am directed to inform you that government of Nagaland is opposed to the proposals for an extension of notification declaring Nagaland as disturbed area.”

“The overall situation in Nagaland is by and large peaceful compared to other states of the country. The law enforcement agencies of the state are satisfactorily dispensing its duties.”

While opposing the extension of the AFSPA, he referred, “Most of the underground factions are in truce with the government of India, except NSCN( K). The joining of six Naga National political groups in the ongoing peace talks and support of civil society organisation is a significant sign of peaceful atmosphere.”

“In view of the relatively peaceful situation, the state government is of the view that extension of notification declaring Nagaland as a disturbed area is not necessar,” the letter, written to the MHA on November 13, said.

It is significant that contrary to its proposal for extending AFSPA in Nagaland, the home ministry had refused to extend the AFSPA in neighbouring Assam but Assam the government decided on its own to extend it for another six months recently.

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 the security forces to act against “civilians”.

In a gazette notification in June this year, the home ministry had extended the AFSPA for six months in Nagaland.