The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been partially removed from three of nine districts of Arunachal Pradesh but will remain in force in the areas bordering Myanmar.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification stating that the four police station areas which were declared as disturbed areas under the AFSPA in Arunachal Pradesh are no longer under the purview of the special law.
The ministry took the decision exercising its powers conferred under section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
The ministry in the notification issued on Sunday pointed out AFSPA has been from Balemu and Bhalukpong police stations in West Kameng district, Seijosa police station in East Kameng district and Balijan police station in Papumpare district.
A senior Home Ministry official said, "The disturbed area tag was withdrawn from the four police station areas as law and order situation there has improved."
The notification, however, stated that AFSPA will continue to remain in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and areas under the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district, Roing in Lower Dibang Valley district and Sunpura in Lohit district till September 30.
The official further pointed stated that AFSPA will continue in other areas in view of continuing activities of banned insurgent groups of the Northeast.
A review of the law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh's six districts was undertaken before the March 31 deadline.
In March last year, the AFSPA was removed completely from Meghalaya following improvement in security situation.
The AFSPA is imposed in areas where armed forces are required to operate in aid to civil authorities. For the AFSPA to become valid, an area, however, needs to be declared disturbed either by the Central or the state government under the section 3 of the 1958 Act.
Three Of Nine
- AFSPA has been removed from 3 of 9 districts of Arunachal
- AFSPA has been termed a controversial law by many activists
- In March 2018, AFSPA was removed completely from Meghalaya following improvement in security situation.
