New Delhi, July 20: Ignoring the demand of major insurgent groups NSCN (I-M) to revoke it, the Centre has decided to continue the operation of the Special Powers Act in Nagaland, giving army enhanced authority to deal with any law and order situation in the "disturbed" state. The armed forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers (Amendment) Act would remain in force in Nagaland for one more year from July 22, declaring the state as a disturbed area, informed sources said today.
While the state government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was of the opinion that there was no need to enforce the act any further giving army special powers, NSCN (I-M) leader Thuingaleng Muivah had strongly conveyed to Centre's special emissary K Padmanabhaiah in Bangkok last week that the disturbed area status for Nagaland should not be extended.
The sources said the NSCN (I-M) leadership had pointed out that the Rio government in Nagaland was opposed to further extension of the special act unlike the previous Jamir government.
After "difficult" negotiations, the NSCN (I-M) leaders agreed to extension of the ceasefire with security forces in Nagaland by another year beyond July 31. The ceasefire had come into force in 1997.
Bureau Report