Centre keen on lifting AFSPA from northeast

Tags: National News

PM Narendra Modi said that AFSPA may be partially withdrawn from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (from 1st April) due to peaceful conditions since 2014.

• AFSPA will now be applicable only in 31 districts and partially in 12 districts in four states of Northeast Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

• These four states together have 90 districts.

• AFSPA was withdrawn completely in Meghalaya in 2018, Tripura in 2015 and Mizoram in the 1980s.

• What is AFSPA?

• Armed Forces Special Powers Act, (AFSPA), gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas.”

• It came into force decades ago in the context of insurgency in the northeastern states.

• It provides "special powers" to the army, air force and central paramilitary forces.

• The Act provides that if "reasonable suspicion exists", the armed forces may also arrest any person without warrant; May enter or search premises without warrant and prohibit possession of firearms.

• AFSPA is presently in force in areas falling under the jurisdiction of 3 districts of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and 8 police stations of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam.

• What are the Disturbed Areas?

• A disturbed area means which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA.

• A region may be disturbed because of differences or disputes between members of different, racial, religious, language or regional groups or castes or communities.

• The Central Government or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory have power to declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.