<p>The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for another six months in Nagaland, with the Ministry of Home Affairs, asserting the state continues to be in a "disturbed and dangerous condition".</p>.<p>The Act is implemented with effect from December 30 and will be in force till June 30 next year.</p>.<p>According to the gazette notification issued on Monday, "the Central Government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of 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."</p>.<p>"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 said State to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 30th December, 2019 for the purpose of that Act," it said.</p>.<p>The AFSPA grants special powers to the Indian armed forces in disturbed areas. It has been in force in Nagaland for several decades and it has not been withdrawn despite a framework agreement signed in August 2015 by Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM and the government.</p>.<p>There have been demands from various quarters across the country to withdraw AFSPA from states like Jammu and Kashmir and some of the states in the north-east. The civil society has been demanding the repealing of the Act, as it gives "blanket powers" to the armed forces.</p>
<p>The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for another six months in Nagaland, with the Ministry of Home Affairs, asserting the state continues to be in a "disturbed and dangerous condition".</p>.<p>The Act is implemented with effect from December 30 and will be in force till June 30 next year.</p>.<p>According to the gazette notification issued on Monday, "the Central Government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of 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."</p>.<p>"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 said State to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 30th December, 2019 for the purpose of that Act," it said.</p>.<p>The AFSPA grants special powers to the Indian armed forces in disturbed areas. It has been in force in Nagaland for several decades and it has not been withdrawn despite a framework agreement signed in August 2015 by Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM and the government.</p>.<p>There have been demands from various quarters across the country to withdraw AFSPA from states like Jammu and Kashmir and some of the states in the north-east. The civil society has been demanding the repealing of the Act, as it gives "blanket powers" to the armed forces.</p>
