Representational image.

Amid the growing clamour for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 (AFSPA) from the Northeast, the Centre has decided to extend the draconian Act in Nagaland for six more months with effect from Thursday.

The Centre said that the area comprising the โ€œwhole of the State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessaryโ€.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

This comes just days after the Union government formed a seven-member panel to suggest withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from Nagaland.

The Centre has asked the panel to submit its report within three months.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Northeast India Division, in an order on December 26, stated that โ€œIn order to review AFSPA in Nagaland a committee is constituted.โ€

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

As per the MHA order, the โ€œterms of the reference of the committee shall be to review the application of AFSPA in Nagaland and make suitable recommendations within a period of three monthsโ€.

As per reports, the decision was taken after Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting at his residence in New Delhi on December 23 to discuss the present scenario in Nagaland.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma.