Centre’s Act East Policy: Experts opine revoking AFSPA from NE

In the backdrop of the Centre’s Act East Policy, experts have suggested repealing the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the northeastern states. The AFSPA gives special power to the armed forces to arrest and grill any person without a warrant in order to maintain law and order. Under AFSPA the army has the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more people in an area, can use force or even fire after giving due warning. The Act came into force on September 11, 1958.

New Delhi: The general election has fostered a public debate over national security and economic development. The patriotic excitement of millions strongly adheres to India’s national security while many more believe that loyal nationalism lies in creating an egalitarian system with basic socio-economic and human rights to millions who are still on the margin.

In the backdrop of the Centre’s Act East Policy, experts have suggested repealing the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the northeastern states.

"There is no insurgency in the northeast. If Government can withdraw AFSPA from Tripura, why can't they repeal it from other northeastern states?" said Suhas Chakma, Director of Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) on Wednesday.

The RRAG is a human rights watchdog and works in conflict areas. Organisations in northeastern states keep raising their demands for repealing AFSPA from this landlocked region.

The AFSPA gives special power to the armed forces to arrest and grill any person without a warrant in order to maintain law and order. Under AFSPA the army has the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more people in an area, can use force or even fire after giving due warning. The Act came into force on September 11, 1958.

The AFSPA is on the force in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

AFSPA has been withdrawn from Meghalaya and Tripura.

In fact, Irom Chanu Sharmila, known as Iron Lady also did 16 years of fasting demanding repeal of AFSPA.

"If Centre wants to fully connect with the northeastern states, they should think over the issue of repealing this Act from NE," said Chakma.

The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, however, on several occasions has said that insurgency in the northeastern states had come down drastically.

"AFSPA should be repealed. It has no place in a democratic country governed by the rule of law. By keeping AFSPA alive, the government is still alienating the people of Northeast," said the RRAG director.