New Delhi declares Nagaland ‘disturbed’ under black law AFSPA
New Delhi: The Indian BJP government has declared Nagaland as “disturbed areas” under the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
According to Kashmir Media Service, nine districts of Nagaland and several police station areas have been declared disturbed under AFSPA for six months, following a fresh uprising in the region. A notification issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs listed Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri districts as disturbed, bringing them under AFSPA. The order will come into effect from April 1 unless withdrawn earlier.
Specific police station jurisdictions in other districts have also been declared disturbed areas. These include Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, and Zubza in Kohima district; Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem, and Anaki ‘C’ in Mokokchung district; Bhandari, Champang, and Ralan in Wokha district; and Ghathashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto, and Aghunato in Zunheboto district.
The notification follows the expiry of an earlier AFSPA order issued in September 2025, which had similarly declared parts of Nagaland as disturbed areas for six months. New Delhi has decided to extend the imposition of AFSPA in these regions.
Under AFSPA, Indian forces are granted special powers, allowing them impunity to arrest, kill, harass anyone, and enter any house at will.
The demand for a separate, sovereign Naga nation (“Nagalim”) has been a long-standing issue, led by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) since 1956. The Naga National Council (NNC) had declared independence in 1947.
