AFSPA

March 28, 2023

Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to further decrease the jurisdiction of “disturbed areas” under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.
Earlier, AFSPA was completely withdrawn from Meghalaya in 2018, Tripura in 2015 and Mizoram in 1980s.
Currently, AFSPA is in effect in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
AFSPA grants special powers to armed forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
Disturbed areas are declared under Section 3 of AFSPA Act, 1958 when a part or whole state/UT is in such a condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary.
Disturbed areas are declared by Governor of state or administrator of Union Territory or by Central government.
Under section 4 of Act, Armed forces can fire upon or arrest anyone who is acting against law & order in disturbed area after giving warning.
Section 6 of the Act gives legal immunity to persons acting under Act.