Rigorous demands to cut the AFSPA area of Operation
• In 2000, in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, ten civilians were shot and killed who were waiting at a bus stop. The incident referred to as the “Malom Massacre”, was carried out by the Assam Rifles, one of the Indian Paramilitary forces operating in the state.
• After this incidence in 2000, Irom Chanu Sharmila also known as ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’started a hunger strike and continued for 16 years against AFSPA operations in Manipur.
• In fact, the central government in 2005, had set up a five-member committee under former Supreme Court Justice B.P Jeevan Reddy.
– They said “the Act is a symbol of hate, oppression, and instrument of high-handedness”
– Also recommended revoking AFSPA.
However, it was rejected by the government.
Subsequently, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) in its 5th report, under the chairmanship of Veerappa Moily, supported the Jeevan Reddy commission and recommended that the time has come to revisit the AFSPA act.
In fact, many Retired Lieutenant General of the Indian Army have opposed AFSPA in the press articles.
Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA)
It is an act of the ‘Parliament of India’ that grants special powers to ‘The Indian Armed forces’ to maintain public discipline in disturbed areas like:
- Areas with a high number of insurgencies
- Too much illegal border crossing takes place
- And these infiltrations are causing anti-state activities
It gives extensive powers to the Indian Armed Forces. They are given the following permission:
- To arrest any individual without warrants on suspicion.
- Destroy hideouts from where armed attacks are being launched or arms dumps or fortified areas or any arms training is carried out.
- Open fire, which may even cause death, against any person who is causing .hindrance to the law or possesses arms and ammunition. However, it cannot be carried out without warning to the suspect.
- The Security forces must hand over the Suspect to the local police within 24 hours of detention.
- The armed forces cannot act as an independent body and must act in alliance with the District Administration.
- The most controversial power is that No AFSPA person can be put into any legal proceedings for any action taken under the act. Until or unless there is a previous sanction from the Central Government.