The government announced that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA) is extended in Nagaland for six more months with effect from today. The government declared that Nagaland as a “disturbed area.” According to the Ministry of Home Affairs statement, “The government thinks that the whole state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that help of armed forces of civil power is required.” Therefore, in the practice of powers given by Section 3 of the AFSPA act, the government declares that Nagaland is a ‘disturbed area’ for six months starting from December 30, 2021, for the stated Act; the statement added.

The decision came after the government formed a high-level committee to discuss the withdrawal of the controversial AFSPA Act, which has been operational in Nagaland for many decades. The notification was published by Piyush Goyal, who has been named the member secretary in the panel to review the possibility of the withdrawal of the AFSPA. Secretary-level officer Vivek Joshi heads the committee. The high-level committee was set up to look after the rising tension in Nagaland after the army killed 14 civilians.