GUWAHATI: In a recent development, decision has been taken to reduce the disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
After decades of disturbance and after several controversies over the AFSPA in the northeastern region, the central government has now decided to reduce areas under the act.
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has informed about the centre's decision for the reduction of areas falling under AFSPA in three of the northeastern states.
The Home Minister announced the latest development on Thursday 31st March explaining the reason that led to the change.
He said that the disturbed areas under AFSPA in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur have been reduced because of the improved security condition in the region.
The reduction of such areas comes following the fast track development that was possible due to the continuous efforts and numerous agreements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end insurgency in the Northeast by bringing peace added Amit Shah.
He further stated that the northeastern region of the country which was neglected for decades is now witnessing a change with the new era of peace, prosperity and extraordinary development.
Earlier on 1st March 2022, the government of Assam has extended the armed forces special powers act in all parts of the state for 6 months period.
Notably, since the year 1990, the AFSPA has been extended in Assam every 6 months after a review by the state government.
It may be mentioned that AFSPA authorizes the security forces to conduct operations anywhere and capture anyone without the requirement of an arrest warrant.
Moreover, the act provides a level of immunity to the security forces in case of a situation where an operation goes wrong.
The AFSPA was imposed for the first time in the insurgency-affected areas of the hills of undivided Assam including Naga Hills and those areas were declared as 'disturbed' areas.
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