Target to completely withdraw AFSPA from Assam by December 2023

Tags: State News

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that a target has been set to completely withdraw AFSPA from Assam by the end of 2023.

An Overview of the News 

• The government aims to address concerns of human rights violations and promote accountability and transparency.

About AFSPA:

• AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act provides additional powers to the armed forces to maintain law and order in areas affected by insurgency and internal disturbances.

• It was implemented in the northeastern states of India (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, parts of Arunachal Pradesh) and Jammu and Kashmir.

• AFSPA gives the armed forces wide powers including arrest, search and shoot on suspicion in "disturbed" areas.

• Provides legal immunity to armed forces personnel for their actions during operations, making accountability for human rights violations difficult.

Aims and Objectives:

• Its goal is to enable the armed forces to deal with insurgency and maintain public order in areas affected by armed insurgency or insurgency.

• The Act empowers the military for preventive measures, search and arrest operations, and the use of force, including lethal force if necessary.

Challenges and Considerations:

• AFSPA faces criticism for human rights violations and excessive use of force by the armed forces.

• Concerns were expressed by human rights organizations regarding abuses, extrajudicial killings and torture.

• Lack of accountability and transparency due to the wide powers and immunity given to the armed forces.

History:

• Launched in 1958 to address the Naga insurgency in Nagaland, later expanded to other areas.

• Implemented in Manipur, Assam, some areas of Arunachal Pradesh and in the east in Jammu and Kashmir.

• In 2020, AFSPA was repealed in Jammu and Kashmir, which is now governed under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.