Now that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 has been extended for a further period of six months in Nagaland, it will be a continuation of over 60 years. The extension of the AFSPA was contrary to the expectations that the government of India, would heed to the massive protests across Nagaland and the north east to repeal the Act. It may also be recalled that on December 20, all the 60 members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, at the one-day special session unanimously resolved to urge upon the Centre to repeal of AFSPA in Nagaland by all the legislators of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), comprising of the NDPP, BJP, NFP and Independents. Such a unanimous resolution is not something that can be or should be ignored. The elected legislators represent the entire state of Nagaland and the constitution gives them the power to adopt resolution that is in line with their constitutional duties. The union home minister Amit Shah then held a meeting on December 23 with Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy chief minister Y.Patton and NPF leader T.R.Zeliang along with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the issue. Following the meeting, the home ministry instituted a 5-member committee to look into aspects of removal of AFSPA in Nagaland. The committee was given 45 days to submit its report to the government. This decision by the home ministry that was a consequence of the December 23 meeting over AFSPA raised high expectations that the Act was on its way out. However, by December 30, the union home ministry, against all expectations and demands, instead issued a notification declaring all of Nagaland as a disturbed area and extended AFSPA for another six months. The extension of AFSPA by a BJP government at the Centre, was like a slap on the face of the all-party and opposition-less UDA government where BJP is a major alliance partner. The response of the home ministry to the pleas and house resolution only makes it obvious, that when it comes to law and order, the state government has not exactly endeared itself with the Centre. True that AFSPA provides armed forces with draconian powers even to the point of committing murder “while assisting” the civilian government and then protected against trial in civil courts. There is no second opinion that AFSPA is fatal law. The Supreme Court had in 2016 dealt a big blow to the immunity enjoyed by security personnel under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) against criminal action for acts committed in disturbed areas. The apex court held that “there is no concept of absolute immunity from trial by a criminal court” if an Army man has committed an offence. AFSPA is as controversial as it will be but the all-party and opposition-less UDA government which unanimously resolved to seek its repeal in Nagaland, will have to ascertain if a house resolution could be brushed aside without any explanation. It makes a mockery of the state assembly and for which the triumvirate of the UDA have to do some explanation. The UDA also should explain whether solution to the Naga political issue is top priority or the repeal of AFSPA? Was it not formed for the sake of early solution to the Naga political issue? Also whether repeal of AFSPA will immediately or likely bring solution to the Naga political issue? Or has AFSPA become the red herring?