Kohima, December 12: The northeastern state of Nagaland will continue to remain under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), as the Union Home Ministry in a notification issued on Wednesday declared the province as "disturbed area" for another six months. The declaration is deemed as necessary for the "maintenance of public order".

With the MHA notification being issued, Nagaland would remain under AFSPA till at least June-end. The law grants certain special powers to the Indian armed forces to maintain peace and tranquility, and crackdown on elements involved in armed insurgency. Powers Vested Under AFSPA Were Exceeded During Operation Amshipora in Shopian, Disciplinary Proceedings Initiated Against Accused, Says Defence PRO.

Update by ANI

Nagaland has been under the coverage of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for almost six decades and it was not withdrawn even after a framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015, by Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak Muivah) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and government interlocutor RN Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The decision to maintain the status quo in Nagaland regarding coverage of AFSPA, a law slammed by many civil society groups as “draconian”, came amidst reports of deteriorating law and order situation there. The AFSPA gives the armed forces sweeping powers to search and arrest, and to open fire if they deem it necessary for “the maintenance of public order”.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2020 05:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).