The Centre is considering partial removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1957 (AFSPA) from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
What is AFSPA?
The AFSPA gives powers to the Army and Central forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law.
It also has the provision of arrest and search any premises without a warrant and provides cover to forces from prosecution and legal suits without the Centre’s sanction.
Where it is being implemented?
It is effective in the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur (excluding the seven Assembly constituencies of Imphal).
In Arunachal Pradesh, it is in force in Tirap, Longding and Changlang districts bordering Assam.
Tripura withdrew AFSPA in 2015.
It is not in force in Meghalaya (except 20 kilometre area along Assam border) and Mizoram.
What is the recent move?
The Ministry has asked Assam and Arunachal Pradesh for their views on AFSPA withdrawal.
It was open to reviewing the stringent law in other States like Manipur.
However, there was no proposal to withdraw it in Jammu and Kashmir.
However the ministry issued a fresh notification stating to continue AFSPA in Arunachal Pradesh for next three months.
The Ministry justified the move by stating that the three border districts of Arunachal Pradesh were being used by militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) to escape to Myanmar.
