Will Remove AFSPA In A Phased Manner: BJP's Sankalp Patra

BY A STAFF REPORTER: Ahead of the Lok Sabha Polls, BJP promised to remove AFSPA in a phased manner and address issues in the unrest-hit Northeast regions in their election manifesto called 'Sankalp Patra'. 

The Sankalp Patra stated "We will continue our efforts to address the issues in the disturbed areas and remove AFSPA in a phased manner. We will further work towards resolution of inter-state border disputes amongst Northeastern states through sustained efforts."

The AFSP Act grants special powers to the armed forces to maintain law and order in disturbed areas. Enacted in 1958, the act allows security personnel to use force, including shooting to kill in disturbed areas. 

On maintaining peace in the Northeast, BJP in its election manifesto - 'Sankalp Patra'; says, "We will continue our efforts to address the issues in the disturbed areas and remove AFSPA in a phased manner. We will further work towards resolution of inter-state border disputes… pic.twitter.com/ACKDW6ZSnF

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2024

As of now, the act is imposed in disturbed areas of a few Indian states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 in three districts namely Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts along with areas falling under three police stations in another district of Arunachal Pradesh on March 28, Thursday. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday released their election manifesto called 'Sankalp Patra' ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The manifesto pledged to implement UCC, One Nation One Election, and came up with other ideas for the country.