Centre Extends AFSPA In Parts Of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh For 6 Months

New Delhi, Sep 26 (PTI) The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which an area is declared as "disturbed" for the convenience of security forces, has been extended in eight districts in Nagaland, three districts in Arunachal Pradesh and some other areas for six more months after a review of the law and order situation in the two northeastern states.

An area or district is notified as a disturbed area under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces.

The AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for the "maintenance of public order".