In a major decision that will impact sentiments in the North-East, the Union Government on Wednesday decided to “reduce disturbed areas” under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the States of Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur. The decision will considerably reduce areas under the AFSPA effective April 1, 2022.
“In a significant step, GoI under the decisive leadership of PM Shri @NarendraModi has decided to reduce disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the States of Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur after decades,” Home Minister Amit Shah said in a tweet.
Justifying the move, the Home Minister said the 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 North East under the leadership of Modi”. The decision has been taken after decades of AFSAPA use in the North-East region which, in recent years, saw considerable normalcy with several extremist groups, including Bodo, ULFA and NSCN(IM) signing peace accords with the Centre.
There has been frequent unrest and agitation in the Northeast for repeal of the AFSPA.
During UPA’s time, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had spoken about “reviewing” AFSPA across the country including in J&K.
The “Disturbed Area” tag will be removed from 23 districts and partially from one district in Assam. In Manipur, 15 police station areas of six districts will be out of the purview of the act. In Nagaland, the Disturbed Area Notification will be removed from 15 police stations in seven districts.
Welcoming the move, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the leadership of the Prime Minister has brought a new era of peace, progress, and security to the North East.
“Reduction in areas under AFSPA will further create a conducive environment for fast-paced growth in the region,” he said.
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Govt shrinks AFSPA areas in North-East
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the Centre’s decision to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 completely from 23 districts and partially from one district of the State.
The AFSPA has been in force in the State since 1990 and this move marks the beginning of a new chapter in Assam’s future, he said.
“I wholeheartedly welcome Adarniya PM Shri @narendramodi’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.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also hailed the Centre’s decision and thanked the Government.
“On behalf of the people of Manipur, I would like to thank the Centre for taking such a move in the interest of the people,” said Singh. He described the day as a “momentous occasion”.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and it was approved by the President on September 11, 1958. It became known as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958.
In 1983, the AFSPA was enforced in Punjab and the Union territory of Chandigarh, and withdrawn in 1997.
In 1990, Jammu and Kashmir was declared a “disturbed area” and AFSPA was enforced in the region, where Army continues to have special privileges.
Apart from the whole of Nagaland, the AFSPA is in force in Assam and parts of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The Act was revoked in Meghalaya on April 1, 2018