On Friday, the Union Home Ministry extended the status of “disturbed areas” in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for six months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958.

The decisions were made after reviewing the law and order situation in the two states, according to two separate notices.

AFSPA gives members of the armed forces broad powers to operate in troubled areas, to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary “to maintain public order”.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the Central Government, in exercising the powers conferred by Section 3 of AFSPA 1958 (28th of 1958), has declared the districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding in Arunachal Pradesh and the districts of Namsai and September 30, 2022, the Mahadevpur police station in the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, which borders Assam, became a “disturbed area”.

With a new notice, yet another police station area has been brought under the jurisdiction of AFSPA.

“Whereas further review has been carried out on the law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, now, the districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding in Arunachal Pradesh and the districts under the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations are based on Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in the South Division of Arunachal Pradesh, which borders Assam, has been declared a “disturbed area” for six months from April 1, 2023. months unless withdrawn earlier,” one of the notifications said.

In a separate notification, the Home Ministry stated that the central government, exercising its powers conferred by Section 3 of the AFSPA, 1958 (No. 28 of 1958), declared nine districts and 16 police stations in the other four districts of Nagaland State as ” Disturbed Areas” for six months from October 1, 2022.

It said the state of disturbed areas will now apply to eight districts and 21 police station areas belonging to five other districts.

“And a further review of Nagaland’s law and order situation has been conducted. Therefore, now, the districts of Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren in Nagaland and the districts of Nagaland belong to i) Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima, South, Zubza and Kezocha Police Stations in Kohima District; ii) Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ Police Stations in Mokokchung District; iii) Yanglok Police Station in Longleng District; ) Bhandari, Champang and Ralan Police Stations in Wokha District; v) Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato Police Stations in Zunheboto District, declared as “Disturbed Areas” under Section 3 of the Law of Armed Conflict 1958 Forces (Special Powers) Act, for six months commencing April 1, 2023, unless withdrawn earlier,” the notice said.