The Union Government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) to Nagaland’s Meluri district for six months, citing security concerns in the region. This move follows a recent extension of AFSPA to several other districts in Nagaland, further expanding its scope. Meluri, formed in November 2024 from Phek district, is now designated as a ‘disturbed area,’ a classification that enables military forces to exercise sweeping powers, including house searches, arrests, and the use of force in self-defense. Critics have long contended that AFSPA’s provisions compromise human rights, granting immunity to security forces. The extension of AFSPA is part of a broader strategy to address ongoing unrest in Northeast India, with similar measures applied in other states like Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
