The Union government on Thursday declared the entire Nagaland as a “disturbed area” for six more months with effect from December 30 under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act while terming the state’s condition “disturbed and dangerous”.
The move came days after the Union government constituted a high-level committee to examine the possibility of the withdrawal of the controversial AFSPA from Nagaland.
The AFSPA has been operational in Nagaland for decades.
“Whereas the Central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of the State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the 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 State of Nagaland to be ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from December 30, 2021, for the purpose of the said Act,” a home ministry notification said.
The notification was issued by the additional secretary in the home ministry, Piyush Goyal, who has been named the member secretary in the panel to examine the possibility of the withdrawal of the AFSPA.
The committee is headed by secretary-level officer Vivek Joshi.
