Govt To Reduce Disturbed Areas Under AFSPA In Assam, Nagaland, Manipur: Amit Shah

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 grants special powers to the security forces to conduct operations anywhere and to arrest anyone without any prior warrant.

Representational Image | File Image

New Delhi: The government has decided to reduce disturbed areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in North Eastern states of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. 

“In a significant step, GoI under the decisive leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has decided to reduce disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades,” the Union Minister tweeted. 

Shah further wrote that reduction of disturbed areas is a result of “improved security situation” and “fast track development”. 

In a significant step, GoI under the decisive leadership of PM Shri @NarendraModi Ji has decided to reduce disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 31, 2022

“Reduction in areas under AFSPA is a result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development due to the consistent efforts and several agreements to end insurgency and bring lasting peace in the North East by PM Narendra Modi government,” Shah wrote. 

He congratulated the people of North East on this “momentous occasion” and said that the region “which was neglected for decades is now witnessing a new era of peace, prosperity and unprecedented development.” 

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Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member from Assam, Sarbanad Sonowal welcomed the move by the government saying "reduction in areas under AFSPA will further create a conducive environment for fast-paced growth in the region." 

A very welcome decision. The leadership of PM Narendra Modi has brought a new era of peace, progress&security to the North East. Reduction in areas under AFSPA will further create a conducive environment for fast-paced growth in the region:Union Min Sarbananda Sonowal

(File pic) pic.twitter.com/kNlBhQwAFW

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2022

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 grants special powers to the security forces to conduct operations anywhere and to arrest anyone without any prior warrant. The law has been in force in the three states — Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur — from decades and has been opposed by civil society and rights activists claiming human rights violation by the security forces.