The Nagaland has once again been declared as disturbed area for another six month by the Central Government in a new order that was issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on June 30, 2017. Declaring whole of Nagaland as a “disturbed” area under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 will give the armed forces powers to search, raid and arrest without a warrant.
Also, it would allow use of force by the Army personnel even to the extent of causing death, against one who puts law and order in a ‘disturbed’ area, in peril. The notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, states that 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.
“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 June 30, 2017 for the purpose of that Act,” read the order issued by the Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Home Affairs.