Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA)

@ Context:  violence in the North-eastern States decades ago, which the State governments found difficult to control.

@ It give power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.  

@ Authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more persons in an area, can use force or even open fire after giving due warning.

@ If reasonable suspicion exists, the army can also, Arrest , Enter or search premises without a warrant; and Ban the possession of firearms.

# Disturbed Areas

@ A disturbed area is the one which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA. 

@ The Central Government or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.

@ Once declared ‘disturbed’, maintained  for a period of three months According  Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976. 

@ The government of the state can suggest whether the Act is required in the state or not.

States under AFSPA, Act

@ whole of Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur (excluding seven assembly constituencies of Imphal) and parts of Arunachal Pradesh(reduced to eight police stations.).

#Target_Shots  #Internal_Security