Centre reduces Afspa spread in three states
NEW DELHI: The Union government on Thursday decided to remove the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa) from large swathes of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur, the first time in years that the controversial anti-terror legislation has been pulled back at such a scale in India’s northeastern region.
The decision — which doesn’t mean that Afspa has been completely withdrawn from the North-east — came after months of protests against the law and a botched operation in Nagaland that resulted in the deaths of 14 people in December 2021.
“The reduction in areas under AFSPA has come as a result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development due to consistent efforts and several agreements to end insurgency and bring lasting peace in North-east by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Union home minister Amit Shah said, while announcing the decision through a tweet.
A British-era law enacted in 1942 in response to the Quit India movement, Afspa empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant, besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution if a person is killed in an operation. The law, which has been blamed by activists for killings and assault by forces, was first enforced in the
North-east as a measure to battle the Naga insurgency in the then undivided state of Assam.
“Due to the significant improvement in the situation after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, now Afspa is being removed with effect from April 1 completely from 23 districts and partially from one district of Assam,” the Union home ministry said in a statement. The disturbed area notification was in force in the whole of Assam since 1990.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the order. “I wholeheartedly welcome adarniya PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s decision to withdraw AFSPA from all areas of Assam barring nine districts
and one subdivision,” the chief minister said in a series of tweets. “It is a testimony to the significant improvement in law and order in the state. With peace getting primacy, North-east is now on a new trajectory of growth and development.”
In Manipur, where the disturbed area declaration was in force (except Imphal Municipality area) since 2004, the Centre decided to remove Afspa from 15 police station areas of six districts. “This historic decision is a result of the robust development and improved security situation under various initiatives taken up by Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji in the North East. This decision
will lead to a new era of peace, prosperity and development in Manipur yet again,” Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh tweeted.
In Nagaland, where Naga groups have battled security forces for years and the disturbed area notification was in force since 1995, the Centre accepted the recommendation of a committee constituted for the withdrawal of Afspa in a phased manner.
“Grateful to GOI under the leadership of @Pmoindia Shri @narendramodi ji & @Amitshah ji for reducing disturbed areas under AFSPA in the states of Nagaland, Assam & Manipur. This is a significant development,” Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio tweeted.