AFSPA cut ‘disturbed regions’ in Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland

AFSPA: Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the “disturbed zones” under the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) in Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland have been significantly reduced. The injunction, which takes effect on April 1, will be in place for six months.

“After decades, the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Shri @NarendraModi Ji, has decided to reduce disturbed areas in the States of Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA),” Mr. Shah tweeted. 

AFSPA has reduced: Home Ministry

“The better security situation and fast-tracked development are a result of PM @narendramodi government’s relentless efforts and various agreements to end insurgency and create lasting peace in the North East,” he added. “The territories covered by the AFSPA have been significantly reduced in these three States; it has not been fully deleted,” a Ministry official stated.

In the wake of growing civilian anger over a botched ambush by an elite armed forces unit that resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians at Oting in Mon district on December 4, the Ministry formed a committee on December 26 to investigate whether the AFSPA could be withdrawn from some areas in Nagaland.

The AFSPA was being deleted from 15 police stations in seven districts in the state, but it would still be functioning in 57 police stations in 13 districts. The committee’s suggestion was used to make the decision.

In the Mon district, however, the AFSPA will remain in effect. “Since 1995, the disturbed area notification has been in effect throughout Nagaland. “The Central government has accepted the committee’s suggestion for a phased repeal of the AFSPA,” the Ministry said. In Assam, the AFSPA was being phased out in 23 districts, with one district remaining partially covered.

Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao districts, as well as the Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar district, will continue to operate under the Act. In Manipur, 15 police station areas in six districts would be exempt from the disturbed area notification, but the rule will still apply to 82 police stations in 16 districts.

Imphal West (Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi), Imphal East (Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai Irilbung), Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam are the six districts and 15 police stations in the state where the AFSPA has been abolished.

The AFSPA would stay in effect in two police stations, Namsai and Mahadevapur, and three districts, Tirap, Changlang, and Langding, in Arunachal Pradesh.

Letter from Bhalla

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Union Home Secretary, wrote to the Chief Secretaries of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Manipur on March 7 to ask their opinions on whether the disturbed area declaration should be maintained in light of the better security situation.

Mr. Shah met with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland earlier this month for a lengthy conversation. On March 22, Mr. Bhalla had a videoconference with the Chief Secretaries of Manipur and Assam, after which the Home Minister approved the proposal to reduce disturbed areas in the two states.

“With the partial withdrawal, all of Assam’s lower [western], central, and northern districts are now free from the AFSPA,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, welcoming the decision. The army has already dismantled camps in a number of locations. The Army will be active in information collecting and other activities even though it will not be deployed for counter-insurgency.”

The decision was made by the Union Home Ministry, according to Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, based on the improved peace situation in the state during the last five years.

“This is a big development towards bringing stability, security, and prosperity to the North East area,” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated in a tweet.

“We have been seeking for the AFSPA to be removed from the entire northeast, not partially,” H.K. Zhimomi, president of Naga Hoho, the highest tribal body of Nagas, said. If there had been no truce, things would have been very different. When a truce is in effect, a partial retreat makes little sense. The declaration made today sends another indication that the Indian government cannot be trusted, even if it delivers assurances in writing and white. This is why, after 24 years, the Indo-Naga peace effort has stalled.”

The Naga Hills insurrection

The law was initially implemented in 1958 to deal with the Naga Hills revolt, which was followed by the insurgency in Assam. It grants the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces stationed in “disturbed areas” unrestricted right to murder anyone breaking the law, arrest and search anyone without a warrant, and shield people from prosecution and legal action without the approval of the Central government.

Currently, the Union Home Ministry publishes periodic “disturbed area” notifications to extend the AFSPA exclusively to Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, where it applies in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, as well as regions under the Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations on the Assam border.

The state governments of Manipur and Assam issue the notifications. The Act was repealed by Tripura in 2015, while Meghalaya was subject to it for 27 years till the Ministry revoked it on April 1, 2018. The Act was enforced in a 20-kilometer stretch of land along the Assam border. The J&K Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1990 governs Jammu and Kashmir. 

Share This:

Leave a Comment