The ministry of home affairs has extended the AFSPA in Nagaland for another six months from today, just days after the Centre appointed a committee to explore the removal of the act from the state (December 30).
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland has been extended for another six months by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Previously, the Nagaland administration proposed removing the AFSPA in the state, and the Union Home Ministry created a team to investigate the matter.
The judgment comes as the army conducts a court of inquiry over a bungled Para Special Forces engagement on December 4 in which 14 civilians were shot dead as they returned from a mine at night. A soldier lost his life in following protest and arson by irate townspeople.
On December 20, weeks after the disastrous operation, the Nagaland Assembly unanimously passed a motion demanding that AFSPA be repealed in the northeast. Following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier this week, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told the media that a committee will be formed to examine the controversial law’s repeal. The committee has 45 days to produce its report. The withdrawal of AFSPA will be based on the committee’s recommendations, according to the chief minister.
However, the Centre declared the entire state of Nagaland a “disturbed region” under AFSPA for 6 more months, till June 30, 2022, according to a notification by the MHA, claiming that Nagaland’s “disturbed and dangerous condition” justified the use of military troops in assistance of civil power. The Army has also consented to allow Nagaland’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) access to soldiers who were involved in the ambush on December 4 to record their testimony.
