GoI decides to reduce ‘disturbed areas’ in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur under AFSPA: Amit Shah

This decision has been taken on account of significant improvement in the security situation in Northeast, said HM Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government has once again decided to decrease the “disturbed areas” declared under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah today.

This decision has been taken on account of significant improvement in the security situation in Northeast, said HM Shah.

This was announced by HM Shah within hours of extending AFPSA in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

In a series of tweets, Union Home Minister Ami Shah stated that for the first time in the history of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi prioritised security, peace and development in the northeast and that as a result, the area is now quickly moving in the direction of peace and prosperity.

The Union Home Minister also expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for bringing positive change in the lives of the people of the northeast and connecting the region with the “hearts of the rest of India”.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search premises without a warrant, and perform other actions for “maintenance of public order”.

A historic day for the Northeast!

PM @narendramodi led GoI has once again decided to decrease the disturbed areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur under the AFSPA. This decision has been taken on account of significant improvement in the security situation in North-East India.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 25, 2023

For the first time in India's history PM @narendramodi Ji prioritized security, peace and development in the North East. As a result of it, the region today is rapidly heading on the path of peace and development.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 25, 2023

I express my gratitude to PM @narendramodi Ji for bringing this positive change in the lives of the people of North East and connecting the region with the hearts of the rest of India.

Congratulations to our sisters and brothers of the Northeast on this momentous occasion.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 25, 2023

Under the AFSPA, a region or district is declared a disturbed area to aid military operations.

AFSPA in Manipur:

With the exception of the Imphal municipality area, entire Manipur was designated a “disturbed area” under AFSPA in 2004 and has been in force ever since.

15 police station areas in six districts were exempt from the ambit of AFSPA on April 1, 2022.

The disturbed area tag was now withdrawn from a total of 19 police station areas in seven districts of the state with the removal of the AFSPA from areas coming under four further police station areas with effect from April 1, 2023, an official said.

AFSPA in Assam:

The disturbed area notification has been in place in Assam since 1990.

According to officials, the disturbed area tag, imposed under the AFSPA, was withdrawn from entire Assam, with the exception of nine districts and one sub-division of one district, as of April 1, 2022, as a result of the significant improvement in the security situation during the Modi government’s rule. Now, it has been limited to only eight districts in Assam.

AFSPA in Nagaland:

Since 1995, the AFSPA has been in effect in Nagaland. On April 1, 2022, it was removed from 15 police station areas spread over seven districts.

The AFSPA was removed from three other police station area in the state with effect from April 1, thia year following a recommendation of a government-appointed committee.

With this, 18 police station areas under eight districts of Nagaland are no longer have the disturbed area classification.

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