Amit Shah announces AFSPA relaxations in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur

New Delhi, March 31: In a major move aimed at addressing demands of political parties and people at large, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced reduction of the disturbed areas imposed under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades. A Home Ministry spokesperson, however, said the decision did not imply that the AFSPA had been completely withdrawn from the three insurgency-hit states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur, but will continue to be in force in some areas of these states.

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I wholeheartedly welcome Adarniya PM Shri Narendra Modi ji’s decision to withdraw AFSPA from all areas of Assam barring 9 dists & 1 subdivn. Also convey my gratitude to HM Shri Amit Shah ji for this great move. Around 60% of State’s area will now be free from AFSPA’s purview. 1/3

- Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) 31 Mar 2022

Also read| Increase in toll tax set to make road travel expensive from April 1 In a series of tweets, Amit Shah said: "In a significant step, GoI (Government of India) 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."

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 by PM @narendramodi government.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 31, 2022

The Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah in a tweet said that the reduction in areas under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is a result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development works in the region. "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 by PM Narendra Modi's government," Shah tweeted. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 provides certain special powers to a member of the Armed Forces in areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. The powers were also extended to forces deployed in Jammu and Kashmir as well. Also read | SC cancels mop-up round counselling for NEET PG 2021-22 Interestingly, the law was first introduced by the British administration to suppress the Quit India Movement in 1942. Moreover, according to the law, no arrest and search warrants are required for any operation. It also provides protection to persons acting under the Act, which means 'No prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted, except with the previous sanction of the Central Government, against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act'. -PTC News