AFSPA Extended in Arunachal

By Nishit Dholabhai

New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Centre today extended the “disturbed areas” notification under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh for six months.

The decision was taken on basis of inputs that the NSCN (I-M) and the NSCN (Khaplang) are actively involved in anti-social activity. The two outfits have presence in the Arunachal Pradesh districts that border Myanmar. Nagaland, Manipur and parts of Assam are under the army act.

“There are also inputs that suggest the presence of the Kachin Independent Army in this area,” said a source. The outfit’s cadres were also found to be involved in the Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh late last year.

The NSCN (K) has been active in Changlang region for a long time and has steadily increased its power. The NSCN (I-M) has been a “competitor” for the Khaplang group here, too, though inter-factional clashes have reduced over the past two years.

The armed forces believe that they would need powers to keep the situation in check.

The NSCN (I-M) includes the two districts in its map of “Nagalim”, which is the integrated “Naga homeland”. Tirap is dominated by the Nocte and Wancho communities while the outfits are active in Singpho-dominated areas of Changlang district.

The Centre is in talks with the NSCN (I-M) and both sides are coming closer gradually over the past 12 years since the outfit signed a ceasefire pact.

“A delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC) called on me on September 14. Following the meeting, at my request, the economic blockade of Manipur by the UNC was lifted on September 18,” Union home minister P.Chidambaram said today.