The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 grants special powers to the armed forces in “disturbed areas” to maintain public order and national security.
Objectives of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958:
- Maintain Public Order- Empowers armed forces to restore peace and stability in disturbed areas with internal security threats.
- Counter Insurgency- Facilitates operations against insurgency, terrorism, and activities threatening national integrity.
Scope of the Act:
- Special Powers- Grants armed forces authority to arrest, search, and use force (including lethal) in disturbed areas without warrants.
- Applicable Areas- Applies to regions declared as “disturbed” by the central or state government, primarily in Northeast India and Jammu & Kashmir.
| Currently, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is fully or partially applicable in the following states:Nagaland: Applicable in most districts, though some areas have seen partial withdrawal.Assam: Applicable in select districts and areas, not the entire state.Manipur: Applicable in most of the state, except for the Imphal municipal area.Arunachal Pradesh: Applicable only in specific districts and areas bordering Assam.Additionally, AFSPA remains in force in Jammu and Kashmir under a separate act.It has been completely withdrawn from Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. |
