The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1956 (AFSPA) in Nagaland has been extended for another six months from Thursday. A statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “The Union Government is of the view that the entire territory of Nagaland is in such a precarious and dangerous situation that it is necessary to use the armed forces with the help of civilian forces.” The Central Government, through the powers conferred on it by Section 3, has declared the entire State of Nagaland as a “turbulent area” for six months. The Act will take effect from December 30, 2021. Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs Piyush Goyal issued the notification. He has been appointed member secretary of the panel to examine the possibility of withdrawing AFSPA. The committee is headed by Secretary-level official Vivek Joshi.
The Union Home Minister has termed the killings as a ‘Mistake Identity’ in Parliament and has promised an inquiry into the matter. The Nagaland killings have sparked state-wide protests and violence.
