The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (SpecialPowers) Act (AFSPA) in eight districts of Nagaland and three districts of Arunachal Pradesh with effect from 1st of next month. It has also been extended to 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland and three police stations in another district of Arunachal Pradesh. The AFSPA has been in force in certain districts and police station areas in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for many years now and it is extended periodically. In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said that a further review of the law and order situation in the states of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh has been undertaken. Therefore, Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts in Nagaland and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of six police stations eachin Mokokchung and Zunheboto districts, four in Kohima, three in Wokha and one in Longleng are declared as disturbed areas for six months from April 1.

Whereas in Arunachal Pradesh,  Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of the state bordering Assam are declared as disturbed areas.