Shah vows to remove AFSPA from almost all N-E States next year
AFSPA has been a perennially debated law touching civil liberties, federalism, and military operations in disturbed areas — all core GS II and GS III themes. Its progressive rollback signals improving security conditions and governance outreach in the Northeast. Aspirants must know its provisions, the 'Disturbed Area' declaration mechanism, and landmark judicial reviews for both Prelims and Mains.
Key facts
- Home Minister Amit Shah announced AFSPA will be withdrawn from almost all Northeast states within one year, with only one or two states remaining under the Act.
- AFSPA grants armed forces special powers — search, arrest without warrant, use of force — in 'Disturbed Areas' declared under Section 3.
- AFSPA was enacted in 1958; it currently applies to parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) had recommended repeal of AFSPA; the Supreme Court in Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association v. Union of India (2016) ruled that use of excessive force even in disturbed areas is not immune from scrutiny.
- AFSPA was already revoked from Meghalaya (2018) and Tripura (2015) in earlier phases of rollback.
- Reduction of AFSPA coverage is linked to declining insurgency and improved infrastructure connectivity in the Northeast under central schemes.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, will be withdrawn from the entire Northeast (N-E) next year, barring one or two States.
Concepts to know
A central law empowering armed forces to search, arrest, and use force (including lethal) in areas declared 'Disturbed' by the Centre or state government. It has been criticised for enabling impunity but defended as operationally necessary in insurgency-hit regions.
A legal designation under Section 3 of AFSPA that enables the government to deploy armed forces with special powers. The Centre or the Governor/Administrator of a state can declare an area 'disturbed' when there is dangerous unrest or insurgency.
Imposes a duty on the Centre to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance, providing the constitutional basis for central deployment of armed forces in states like those in the Northeast.
A five-member committee set up in 2004 that submitted its report in 2005 recommending repeal of AFSPA and incorporation of its essential provisions in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Its recommendations were not implemented.
Supreme Court judgment holding that armed forces personnel cannot claim absolute immunity under AFSPA for excessive use of force and that courts can examine alleged fake encounters even in disturbed areas.
India's primary anti-terror law that allows prolonged detention without bail. Critics argue it is increasingly used against journalists, activists, and dissenters, raising concerns about civil liberties.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement: 1. The Congress declared the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective. 2. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) I only (b) II only (c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II
- a.I only
- b.II only
- c.Both I and II ✓
- d.Neither I nor II
History · UPSC 2025Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC: I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025. II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999. III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC. IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) I and II (b) II and III (c) I and IV (d) I only
- a.I and II
- b.II and III
- c.I and IV
- d.I only ✓
International Relations · UPSC 2025With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President. 2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block. 3. The Chief Ministers of concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
- a.Only one
- b.Only two ✓
- c.All three
- d.None
Polity · UPSC 2023With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: 1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States. 2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only
- b.2 only ✓
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2
History · UPSC 2022Consider the following statements: 1. The Oil Pool Account of Government of India was dismantled with effect from 1-4-2002 2. Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India 3. An expert committee headed by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage - II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2004 Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 and 2 only ✓
- b.2 and 3 only
- c.1 and 3 only
- d.1, 2 and 3
Economy · UPSC 2004Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: 1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory. 2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4
- a.1, 2 and 3
- b.2, 3 and 4
- c.1, 2 and 4 ✓
- d.1, 3 and 4
Polity · UPSC 2019
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