The state government of Tripura has withdrawn the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) as insurgency is on the wane in the State. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar after a meeting with his Council of Ministers. The central act was first enforced in Tripura on 16 February, 1997 when terrorism was at its peak in the state, which shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh. Tribal parties of the state had been demanding the withdrawal of the Act, saying it was aimed at suppressing the State’s 33 per cent tribal population.
AFSPA provides,
- Unlimited powers to security forces to shoot at sight
- Arrest anybody without a warrant
- Carry out searches without consent.
All this knowing that they wouldn’t face any legal action for any action undertaken under the act.
Members of two separatist groups – National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) – are still sheltered and accused of getting arms training in Bangladesh. These two groups have been demanding the secession of Tripura from India.
Other than Tripura, AFSPA is also in force in,
- Manipur (excluding the Imphal Municipal Council area)
- Assam
- Nagaland
- Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Manipur’s human rights activist Irom Sharmila has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 15 years, demanding the withdrawal of the act in her home state.
