New Delhi: The Union Government on Thursday extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958,  in Nagaland for another six months, citing the state's "disturbed and dangerous condition" as justification for the employment of armed forces in support of the civil authorities.

The announcement was made through a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, following calls from the Northeastern state to withdraw it following an alleged botched security operation near Oting Village in Nagaland's Mon district on December 4, which resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians and one jawan.

The announcement stated, "Whereas the Central Government believes that the territory containing the entire state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary."

"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (No.28 of 1958), the Central Government hereby declares the entire State of Nagaland to be a 'disturbed area' for the purpose of the said Act for a period of six months beginning December 30, 2021," it stated.

In Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, the Armed Forces Exceptional Rights Act (AFSPA) of 1958 gives a member of the Armed Forces specific special powers. The authority was also extended to personnel stationed in Jammu and Kashmir.

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