Police, citizens should improve security situation in Nagaland after partial lifting of AFSPA, says Chief Minister

Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 22 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday stressed on the need for community participation besides the state police, in improving the law and order situation in the state to avoid re-imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the lifted areas and to reduce the “disturbed areas” further.

The Government of India last month announced partial lifting of “disturbed areas” under the AFSPA in the north-eastern states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades. Hence, the controversial law is no longer in force in as many as three districts and some select areas in four districts of Nagaland starting on April 1.

Speaking at an event in Kohima, Rio said that ‘the army and paramilitary forces will still operate in the state but it is the responsibility of the state police and the citizens to make the (security) situation better’.

‘And if the situation goes bad again and not improving, the Centre will re-impose the Act because the power lies with the government of India,’ he said.

The Centre had to declare the state a “disturbed area” under AFSPA till the situation becomes normal despite the cries of the people to lift it, he said.

‘The Government of India had partially lifted AFSPA in Nagaland but that does not make much difference. The partial lifting means that the state police and citizens of the state should participate in making the situation better,’ Rio added.

It may be mentioned that ‘disturbed area’ still remain in force in 57 police stations across 13 districts, out of the total 72 police stations in 16 districts of Nagaland, while it has been revoked in 15 police stations in seven districts.

Nine districts — Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Zunheboto — were declared ‘disturbed area’ for six more months with effect from April 1, while it has been completely lifted in Tuensang, Shamator and Tseminyu, and partially in Kohima, Wokha, Longleng and Mokokchung districts.