TheMinistry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared Nagaland a "disturbed area" for sixmore months till December-end under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA). The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere andarrest anyone without prior notice.

The MHAin a notification said the central government is of the opinion that the areacomprising the whole state of Nagaland is in such a "disturbed and dangerouscondition" that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.

It maybe mentioned here that AFSPA has been in force in Nagaland for several decadesand it has not been withdrawn even after a framework agreement between NSCN-IM andGovernment of India on August 3, 2015.