AFSPA, 1958

Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. When an area is declared “disturbed”, it has to maintain status quo for a minimum period of 3 months. AFSPA empowers armed forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. The entire Nagaland has recently been declared as “disturbed area” for 6 more months by the central government to enable continuation of AFSPA.