Kohima: The Armed Forces Special Powers Act will remain in effect across Nagaland for another six months starting October 1. The central government order blankets nine districts: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri. The act also applies to 21 specific police stations spread across the Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts.
Public Health Engineering Department Minister Jacob Zhimomi defended the move on September 26 while attending a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha event in Chumoukedima. Zhimomi argued that the central government retains the authority to make these calls based on broader intelligence. "In the interest of national security, there may be reasons for the Government of India to take such decisions again because national integrity and national security is the topmost priority of any sovereign nation," he said.
Despite the extension, Zhimomi insisted that the state is safe. He described the current law and order environment as calm and noted that residents are focused on economic growth. He brushed off tensions among tribal organizations as a natural product of democracy and urged groups to avoid overstepping their expertise. On the topic of a potential 50-50 oil revenue-sharing agreement with Assam, the minister said the deal must prioritize the local population. He refused to discuss the ongoing Vande Mataram controversy.
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