Why in news
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been reimposed in Manipur
The decision comes in response to ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which remains volatile despite earlier efforts to restore peace
Six police station limits in five districts have been designated as “disturbed areas.”
The AFSPA was removed from these areas in April 2022, after the security situation improved.
The reimposed AFSPA will remain in effect until March 31, 2025, pending further review.
Whats is AFSPA?
Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.
Ministry : Home Affairs
The Act came into force in the context of increasing violence in the North-eastern States decades ago.
The Act gives armed forces the power to:
Kill anyone acting in contravention of the law.
Arrest and search without a warrant.
Use force to maintain order in "disturbed areas."
Protection from prosecution for actions taken under the Act (requires central government sanction).
An area is declared disturbed if there are serious disturbances due to insurgent activities, ethnic violence, or civil unrest.
Act was amended in 1972 and the powers to declare an area as “disturbed” were conferred concurrently upon the Central government along with the States.
The declaration can last for three months and may be extended.
The AFSPA is currently applied in parts of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur, based on the security situation.
Periodic "disturbed area" notifications are issued by the Union Home Ministry to extend AFSPA in these regions.
COMMENTS