Union home minister Amit Shah stated that the decrease of ‘disturbed areas’ in the states of Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was a ‘historic day for the Northeast’.
In a string of tweets on Saturday, Shah stated that the decision was taken ‘on account of significant improvement in the security situation’ in the states.
A historic day for the Northeast!
PM @narendramodi led GoI has once again decided to decrease the disturbed areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur under the AFSPA. This decision has been taken on account of significant improvement in the security situation in North-East India.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 25, 2023
The Northeast is rapidly heading on the path of peace and development, Shah said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘bringing this positive change in the lives of the people of North East and connecting the region with the hearts of the rest of India.’
The Union minister also congratulated the people of the Northeast on this ‘momentous occasion’.
On Friday, AFSPA was extended for another 6 months 8 districts and 21 Police Stations in 4 districts in Nagaland. In the revised list, Centre removed ‘disturbed area’ tag from the jurisdiction of three Police Stations in Wokha and Zunheboto districts.
Centre also extended the “disturbed area” status in parts of Arunachal Pradesh under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for six months.
Read more: AFSPA extended in parts of Nagaland for another 6 months, ‘Disturbed area’ tag lifted from 3 PS
Centre extends “disturbed area” status in parts of Arunachal Pradesh
The Home Ministry had in April 2022 removed AFSPA from several areas in the states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. ‘Disturbed area’ status was removed from 15 Police Stations in 7 districts in Nagaland, from 23 districts in Assam and partially in 1 district, while in Manipur, it was removed from 15 police station areas in 6 districts.
Amit Shah had tweeted similar tweets on 31 March 2022 thanking PM Modi and congratulating the people of the Northeast.
AFSPA allows security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives a certain level of immunity to the security forces in case of an operation going wrong.
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