GUWAHATI: Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai has said that there has been a considerable reduction in ‘disturbed areas’ in the Northeast under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).
The union minister made the statement while responding to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Detailing the significant improvements in the security landscape of the Northeast, he said, “The security situation in the Northeastern states has seen significant improvement since 2014. Compared to 2014, there has been a 71 percent reduction in insurgency incidents, 60 percent decrease in the number of Security Forces personnel deaths, and 82 percent in civilian fatalities in 2023.”
The minister also provided specific updates on the status of AFSPA across various Northeastern states. In Assam, the Act has been completely withdrawn from all districts except for four. Tripura saw a complete withdrawal of AFSPA effective from May 27, 2015. Meghalaya followed suit on April 1, 2018.
“The act has been withdrawn gradually in Arunachal Pradesh and is now applicable only in 3 police station areas in Namsai district and 3 other districts namely Tirap, Changlang, and Longding,” he stated.
In Nagaland, the Act’s withdrawal has been more limited. It remains applicable in eight districts and 21 police station areas across five other districts, he said.
AFSPA, enacted in 1958 grants special powers to Indian Armed Forces in areas deemed ‘disturbed’ due to insurgency. The reduction of AFSPA’s application in the Northeast is seen as a reflection of improved security in the region.
