{"id":39546,"date":"2025-03-21T20:24:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T14:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=39546"},"modified":"2025-03-21T20:24:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T14:54:46","slug":"mha-review-afspa-in-northeast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-03-2025\/mha-review-afspa-in-northeast","title":{"rendered":"MHA To Review AFSPA in the Northeast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Syllabus: GS3\/ Internal Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In News<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • The Union Home Ministry is currently reviewing the extent of AFSPA coverage in the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam.<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • This comes after recent ethnic tensions and law-and-order disturbances, particularly in Manipur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      About AFSPA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Enacted by the Parliament and approved by the President in 1958.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Grants extraordinary powers & immunity<\/strong> to the armed forces to bring back order in the \u201cdisturbed areas\u201d.<\/strong>\n
          \n
        • An area can be disturbed due to differences or disputes b\/w members<\/strong> of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Provisions:<\/strong>\n
            \n
          • Section 3<\/strong>: Empowers the Governor<\/strong> of the State\/Union territory to declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Section 4<\/strong>: Gives the powers to the Army <\/strong>to <\/strong>search premises and make arrests without warrants.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Section 6: <\/strong>Stipulates that arrested persons and the seized property are handed over to police.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Section 7: <\/strong>The <\/strong>prosecution is permitted only after the sanction of the Central Government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Need for AFSPA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Insurgency and Security Threats: <\/strong>Armed separatist movements in the Northeast and terrorism in J&K necessitate rapid and decisive action.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Support to Civil Administration: <\/strong>In areas where police and civil forces are inadequate, the military assists in restoring normalcy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Geopolitical Factors:<\/strong> Bordering countries like China, Myanmar, and Pakistan pose cross-border security challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Strategic Deterrence: <\/strong>The presence of armed forces under AFSPA acts as a deterrent to insurgent groups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Concerns and Criticism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Human Rights Violations: <\/strong>Allegations of extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual violence in conflict zones. Notably highlighted by the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005)<\/strong> and UN agencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Immunity and Lack of Accountability: <\/strong>Requirement of Central Government sanction often results in impunity for accused personnel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Alienation of Local Populations: <\/strong>Perception of militarisation leads to mistrust between citizens and the state.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Judicial Observations:<\/strong> Supreme Court in 2016 has expressed that excessive use of force under AFSPA is not justified; operations must adhere to constitutional norms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Democratic Deficit:<\/strong> Goes against the spirit of federalism, rule of law, and civil liberties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • Gradual Withdrawal Based on Ground Situation:<\/strong> Follow a phased removal of AFSPA in areas showing long-term peace and stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Strengthening Local Institutions:<\/strong> Empower state police, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance development infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Accountability and Oversight Mechanisms:<\/strong> Establish independent civilian oversight bodies for redressal of complaints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Legal Reforms:<\/strong> Amend the Act to balance national security with fundamental rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Introduce time-bound reviews and sunset clauses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Source: TH<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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