On December 30, 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has declared the entire region of “Nagaland” as a disturbed area under section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 ie., AFSPA Act 1958, for a further period of 6 more months with effect from 30th December 2019.
AFSPA Act in Nagaland:
i.The implementation of AFSPA has been active in Nagaland for almost 6 decades (60 years) even after a framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015.
- Agreement signing: The agreement was signed by Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak Muivah)-NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and government interlocutor R.N. Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
ii.The act also remains in force even in Assam, most of Manipur, and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh. It was previously launched by the home ministry for six months with effect from June 30, 2019, which ended on December 29,2019.
About AFSPA:
Fact1- The act gives the military sweeping powers to search and arrest, and to open fire so as to keep maintenance of public order.
Fact2- As per Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976 once declared ‘disturbed’, the area has to maintain the status quo for a minimum of 3 months.
About Nagaland:
Capital- Kohima.
Governor- Ravindra Narayana Ravi.
Chief minister- Neiphiu Rio.
