The Indian government has announced the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from most areas in the northeast. The decision, announced in Parliament on Tuesday, August 6, marks a major step towards normalizing the security situation in the region.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, shared that AFSPA has been fully lifted from Tripura and Meghalaya, with partial withdrawals in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland. The act, which was previously in force across many parts of the northeast, granted extensive powers to the armed forces, including the authority to search, arrest, and use force in areas deemed disturbed.

The move comes in response to notable improvements in the security situation across the northeast. Since 2014, there has been a substantial reduction in insurgency-related incidents and fatalities. Specifically, insurgency incidents have dropped by 71%, security forces' deaths have decreased by 60%, and civilian casualties have fallen by 82% as of 2023.

In Assam, AFSPA has been withdrawn from all districts except four. In Arunachal Pradesh, it remains in effect only in three police station areas in Namsai district, as well as in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding. In Manipur, the act has been removed from 19 police station areas in seven districts. In Nagaland, it has been partially lifted, leaving it applicable only in eight districts and 21 police station areas across five other districts.

This step reflects the government's confidence in the region's improved stability and is expected to enhance local governance and civilian life further.

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