AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958)

Why in News?

The Union Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh for six months, empowering armed forces in “disturbed areas” with special operational and legal protections.

Description:

• 1942: Armed Forces Special Powers Ordinance (British) – to suppress the Quit India Movement.
• 1947: Ordinances invoked in “Assam disturbed areas” after Partition violence.
• 1955: Assam Disturbed Areas Act.
• 1958: Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Act → later extended as AFSPA, 1958.
• 1990: Separate AFSPA for Jammu & Kashmir.

Key Provisions of AFSPA, 1958:

1. Disturbed Areas (Sec. 3):
   1. Declared by Governor / UT Administrator / Central Government.
   1. Reasons: insurgency, inter-community violence, breakdown of law & order.
2. Special Powers of Armed Forces (Sec. 4):
   1. Use force/firearms, even to the extent of causing death, against violators.
   1. Arrest without warrant.
   1. Search & seizure without warrant.
3. Immunity (Sec. 7):
   1. No prosecution against armed forces personnel without Central Govt. sanction.

Current Status (2024–25):

• In force in parts of Nagaland & Arunachal Pradesh.
• Gradually withdrawn from Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur (partially).
• Extended every 6 months by MHA.

Arguments in Favour:

• Necessary for counter-insurgency & anti-terror operations.
• Provides legal protection to forces in disturbed areas.
• Ensures morale of security forces.
• Helps maintain public order where State machinery is weak.

Arguments Against:

• Violation of federalism: Centre can impose without State’s consent.
• Excessive powers: risk of extrajudicial killings, fake encounters.
• Civil liberty violations: search/arrest without warrant.
• Impunity: Prosecution requires Central sanction.
• Evidence of abuse: E.g., Hegde Commission (2013) found cases of fake encounters in Manipur.

Judicial & Committee Views

• SC in Naga People’s Movement (1998):
  • AFSPA is constitutional, but must be reviewed every 6 months.
  • Use of force must be minimum necessary.
• Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005):
  • Recommended repeal of AFSPA.
  • Suggested amending UAPA, 1967 instead.
• 2nd ARC (2007):
  • Recommended repeal of AFSPA.
• Santosh Hegde Commission (2013):
  • Recommended accountability mechanisms.
  • Security forces shouldn’t enjoy blanket immunity.

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