AFSPA Extension in Nagaland & Arunachal Pradesh

The Central Government has extended AFSPA in specific parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months.

• The extension is due to continuous violence and claims of sovereignty by certain groups in these regions.

Background:

• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in “disturbed areas.”
• It is currently in force in several states in India’s northeast and Jammu and Kashmir, criticized for alleged human rights violations.

Areas Under AFSPA:

• Arunachal Pradesh: Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts and areas falling within the jurisdiction of the eight police stations of districts bordering Assam.
• Nagaland: The districts of Mon, Kohima, Dimapur, Kiphire, Phek, Zunheboto, and others.

AFSPA Provisions:

• Armed forces have the power to fire upon or use force against individuals acting against law or order.
• They can arrest without a warrant anyone who has committed cognizable offences or is reasonably suspected of having done so.
• They can enter and search any premise to make arrests or to recover any person wrongfully restrained or any arms, ammunition, or explosive substances.
• Officers have legal immunity for their actions under AFSPA.

Criticism and Concerns:

• AFSPA has received widespread criticism for alleged human rights violations, including “extra-judicial executions,” “disappearances,” and torture.
• Several national politicians and human rights organizations have advocated for the revocation of AFSPA, citing it as a tool of state abuse, oppression, and discrimination.
• The United Nations has also asked India to revoke AFSPA, terming it as breaching contemporary international human rights standards.
• The Supreme Court of India has stated that any encounter carried out by armed forces under AFSPA should be subjected to thorough inquiry.

Ref: Source