In December 2020, the Home Ministry declared which of the following states ‘Disturbed Area’ for six months under Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 ?

Jharkhand
Nagaland
West Bengal
Punjab

The correct answer is (b), Nagaland.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is an act of the Parliament of India which grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. The act was first enacted in 1958 in the state of Nagaland, which was then facing an insurgency. The act has since been extended to other states, including Assam, Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the AFSPA, the armed forces are given powers to shoot to kill, arrest without warrant, and destroy property without compensation. The act has been criticized for its human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and rape.

In December 2020, the Home Ministry declared Nagaland a “disturbed area” for six months under the AFSPA. The decision was made following a series of attacks by militants on security forces in the state. The AFSPA has been in force in Nagaland since 1958.

Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Punjab are not currently under the AFSPA.

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