Go, Afspa, Go – Every N-E district freed of this draconian law represents an advance. But it’s time to consider full repeal

Source: The post is based on the article “Go, Afspa, Go – Every N-E district freed of this draconian law represents an advance. But it’s time to consider full repeal” published in The Times of India on 27th March 2023.

Syllabus: GS – 3: Security challenges and their management in border areas.

Relevance: About removal of disturbed area tag.

News: After 2022, the Union home ministry has considerably reduced the number of “disturbed areas” in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. In its recent review, the “disturbed area” tag has been removed from one more district in Nagaland.

About Armed Forces Special Powers Act or AFSPA

About AFSPA in North East

At present, eight of Nagaland’s 16 districts have AFSPA in full force while in five others, AFSPA is imposed in parts. AFSPA was removed from Tripura in 2015, Meghalaya removed it in 2018 after 27 years. The Centre removed AFSPA from 23 districts – plus partially from another district – of Assam’s 36 districts last year.

What will be the way forward?

The government has successfully brought militants to surrender, join peace talks and abandon arms. For example, the 2020 Bodo Accord and the 2021 Karbi-Anglong pact have addressed the root causes of insurgencies. With this, the climate is more amenable to the total removal of AFSPA.