Armed forces set to be reduced in Northeast

Armed forces set to be reduced in Northeast

Context

The Home Ministry will conduct a “security audit” in the Northeast and chalk out a plan to reduce the number of Central armed police force personnel deployed there.

State police to get more responsibility

Insurgency related incidents in the Northeast had come down to 308 in 2017, the lowest since 1997.

“Since the incidents have come down by 85%, it was felt that the number of boots on the ground should be reduced too. More responsibility would be given to the State police,” said a senior government official.

AFSPA review

• Another official said there was no final decision to repeal AFSPA as of now but the Jeevan Reddy Committee report that recommended it was discussed from time to time
• The Central government appointed a five member committee headed by Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy in November 2004 to review AFSPA.

Report submitted

• The committee submitted its report in 2005.
• It said that besides repealing the Act, recommended that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 should be modified to clearly specify the powers of the armed forces and the Central forces.