Nagaland declared as ‘ disturbed area’

New Delhi, Jan. 1: The entire Nagaland has been declared as “disturbed area” for six more months, till June- end, under the controversial Afspa, which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice.

In a gazette notification, the Union home ministry said it is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a “disturbed and dangerous condition” that use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces ( Special Powers) Act, 1958 ( No. 28 of 1958), the Central government hereby declares that whole of the said state to be a ‘ disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from December 30, 2017 for the purpose of that Act,” the notification said.

A home ministry official said the decision to continue the declaration of Nagaland as “disturbed area” has been taken as killings, loot and extortion have been going in various parts of the state which necessitated the action for the convenience of the security forces operating there.

There have been demands from various organisations in the Northeast as well as in Jammu and Kashmir for repealing the controversial Armed Forces ( Special Powers) Act ( Afspa), which, they say, gives “sweeping powers” to security forces.