The Centre has extended the 'Disturbed Area' status to the entire state of Nagaland for another six months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act with effect from December 30, 2020.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to search and arrest anyone without any prior warrant.

The Union Home Ministry in a notification said that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary.

"Whereas the Central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole 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," the notification said.

"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 that whole of the State of Nagaland to be "disturbed area" for a period of six months with effect fro December 30, 2020 for the purpose of the said Act," the ministry stated.

Nagaland has been under ASPA for almost six decades. On June 30, the Centre had declared Nagaland as a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months.

On Tuesday, the Manipur government extended the 'Disturbed Area' status to all parts of the state, except in Imphal Municipal area, for one more year, following the approval of state Governor Dr Najma Heptulla. 

ALSO READ: Disturbed Area status extended in Manipur for one more year