Assam state was on 6 May 2017 declared as a 'Ddisturbed' area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another 3 months. The entire state of Assam besides the bordering areas of Meghalaya were declared as “Disturbed Areas”.
Moreover, the Union Government also placed three districts of Arunachal Pradesh- Tirap, Changlang and Longding and other areas falling under 16 police stations bordering Assam as 'disturbed' area under the AFSPA.
The decision was taken after the government observed various violent activities carried out by certain insurgent groups like ULFA, NDFB and others in these areas.
In Assam, 75 incidents of violence were reported in 2016 and 9 in 2017. Assam was placed under AFSPA in November 1990.
About Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA)
AFSPA is collective name of several acts passed by Indian parliament for providing special powers to the Indian Armed Forces and to provide army officers and jawans legal immunity for their actions in disturbed areas.
Indian Constitution gives power to Governor of the State and Central Government to declare any part of any state as disturbed area if it is necessary to prevent terrorist activity or any such activity that might disrupt the sovereignty of India or cause insult to the national flag, anthem or India’s Constitution.
Section 4 of the AFSPA gives special powers to army officers in disturbed area to shoot (even if it kills) any individual who violates law / or is suspected of violating law (this includes assembly of five or more people, carrying of weapons) etc.
The only condition is that the officer has to give warning before opening fire.
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation