AFSPA extended

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months, beginning October 1.
• Also Manipur government declared the entire state a ‘disturbed area’ under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for a period of six months in the wake of the prevailing law and order situation.
  • However, the status will not be implemented in areas under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations including the capital Imphal.

ABOUT AFSPA

• It grants special powers to the armed forces to bring back order in ‘disturbed areas.
• The Act gives unbridled power to the armed forces and the Central Armed Police Forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to
  • kill anyone acting in contravention of law,
  • arrest and search any premises without a warrant and
  • protection from prosecution and legal suits without the Central government’s sanction.
• Under Section 3, the Central Government or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.