New Delhi, Sep 26, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

New Delhi, Sept 26: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been extended in eight districts in Nagaland, three districts in Arunachal Pradesh and some other areas for six more months beyond October 1, 2024.

This was decided at a meeting in North Block to review the law and order situation in the two northeastern states, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The AFSPA gives armed forces operating sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for the "maintenance of public order" in an area or district notified as a disturbed to facilitate the operations of the troops.

The Union Home Ministry said in a notification that the Centre central had declared eight districts and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2024.

The districts and police stations areas have been declared as 'disturbed area' again under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2024, unless withdrawn earlier.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said the AFSPA has been removed in 70 per cent areas in the northeastern states even though it is in force in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also said that the central government would consider revoking AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir.

There have been demands from various organisations and individuals in Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states to revoke the AFSPA.