The Modi government has decided to reduce the scope of AFSPA in three states of the North East. Home Minister Amit Shah has given this information. In the recent elections, AFSPA seemed to be an election issue as well. This step of the Center is considered important in restoring peace in the North East.
removed from here The Center on Thursday completely withdrawn the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 in the Northeast from 23 districts of Assam. Whereas, it will be partially applicable in seven districts of Nagaland, six districts of Manipur and one district of Assam. AFSPA will remain in force in the rest of these three states as well as parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Powers of the Force Armed forces get wide powers under AFSPA. This law also gives them the right to shoot directly. Also gives power to force to arrest persons without warrant. Also, the army can search without a warrant. Northeast has been living under the shadow of AFSPA for almost 60 years.
It is said that due to this a feeling of separation has also been created here. This step of the government is expected to help in making this region civilian. With the removal of this law, the restriction on search and movement of people through check points will be removed.
Why remove now In the last two decades, there has been a decline in militancy in various parts of the Northeast. Several major separatist groups are already in talks with the Indian government. All the major groups in Nagaland- NSCN (I-M) and Naga National Political Group (NNPG) are in the final stages of agreement with the government. Insurgency as well as heavy militarization in Manipur has declined since 2012.
When and why was it When the Naga nationalist movement began in the 1950s with the establishment of the Naga National Council, Assam police forces reportedly used force to suppress the movement. After this, as soon as the armed movement took root in Nagaland, in 1958, the AFSPA was passed in the Parliament and implemented throughout the state.
At the same time in Manipur also it was planted in three districts in 1958. In which the generals, Tamenglong and Ukhrul were included. These were Naga-dominated districts where the NNC was active. It was then planted in the Kuki-Zomi dominated Manipur district of Churachandpur in the 1960s and extended to the rest of the state in 1979.