Armed Forces Special Powers Act
Armed Forces Special Powers Act News

As blood of ‘fake encounters’ singes AFSPA, the law needs to be done away with in totality
Security experts argue that AFSPA should not be construed as a ‘licence to kill’. And that charges of extrajudicial killings or ‘fake encounters’ against armed forces personnel must be investigated

AFSPA now applicable fully only in 31 districts, partially in 12 districts of four Northeast states
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, was completely withdrawn in Meghalaya in 2018, Tripura in 2015 and Mizoram in the 1980s.

Nagaland killings: State government likely to hold special Assembly session against AFSPA on 20 Dec
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Core Committee on Naga Political Issue, headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, held in Kohima on Thursday

Army says its troops 'exceeded' powers under AFSPA during Shopian encounter that killed three in July
According to the rules, a Summary of Evidence will now be initiated against the erring Army personnel after which Court Martial proceedings will begin

Assam Rifles-Mizoram row: Paramilitary force 'fails to recognise' AFSPA withdrawn here, state govt tells Centre
Mizoram chief secretary has written letters to Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla over Assam Rifles' "boycott" of Independence Day celebrations and alleged violation of safety protocols

Nagaland declared 'disturbed area' for six more months under AFSPA, announces Union home ministry
The Home Ministry said the central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary.

J&K human rights groups release report documenting decade-long torture of civilians by security forces
The report is the first comprehensive report on torture since 1990, in Jammu and Kashmir, which has testimonies of 432 victims recorded over a period of ten years.

AFSPA withdrawal likely in Assam after July but dependence of state police on Central forces to battle insurgency to continue
The ground realities indicate that even after the withdrawal of the AFSPA, the Assam government will remain dependent on Central paramilitary forces to meet the operational requirement of counter-insurgency in the state.

PM's defence of AFSPA in J&K scores points with troops, but law's efficacy in protecting soldiers remains in question
How effective is the AFSPA in its current form? Does it give cover to our soldiers? This question demands an answer beyond the BJP-Congress rhetoric.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel alleges MCC violation by Narendra Modi, who mentioned surgical strikes at Balod rally
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, who also holds the post of state Congress president, reached the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Subrat Sahoo along with senior party leaders and handed over the written complaint.

Narendra Modi to News18: Removing AFSPA in Kashmir is like sending our soldiers to the gallows, I'll never allow it
In an exclusive interview to Network18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi summarily dismissed any talk of repealing the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Kashmir, likening its removal to sending soldiers to the gallows.

Omar Abdullah rejects BJP chief Amit Shah's claim of ending coalition with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir over AFSPA
The NC vice-president was reacting to BJP president Amit Shah's claim that his party ended the alliance with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir last year due to PDP's demand for revocation of the AFSPA.

Congress manifesto is pro-terrorists, will weaken armed forces, says Nirmala Sitharaman on Rahul's proposed plan to amend AFSPA
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also criticised the Congress manifesto, saying that the Opposition party’s promises are "dangerous and unimplementable" and the agenda seems to be the "balkanisation of India".

AFSPA withdrawn from three districts of Arunachal Pradesh after 32 years; Act remains in force in areas bordering Myanmar
The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which gives sweeping powers to security forces, was partially removed from three of nine districts of Arunachal Pradesh after 32 years

Some 'Congress friends' conspired against revoking AFSPA in jammu and Kashmir before 2014, says Omar Abdullah
Welcoming as 'better late than never' the Congress poll promise of amending AFSPA, Omar Abdullah said earlier 'some friends' in the grand old party had 'conspired' against scrapping the controversial law when he was the chief minister.

Omar Abdullah promises to revoke Public Safety Act if his party comes to power in Jammu and Kashmir
National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said on Thursday the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA), under which a person can be detained without trial for six months, would be revoked if his party was voted to power in Jammu and Kashmir.

Manipur fake encounters: Supreme Court dismisses police plea on judges' recusal, says it is without any basis
Besides the personnel of Manipur Police, the court has also been moved by over 300 serving Army officers and personnel against the dilution of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that gives immunity to the military from prosecution for actions in disturbed areas where it is in force.

Govt weighing changes to AFSPA: Golden opportunity for Centre to change public's perception of Act
The aggressive tone of the language of AFSPA has been exploited by various quarters, including anti-national elements, to paint India and its armed forces red and create a perception internationally that we function under draconian laws.

Soldiering — A Life on the Edge: Brigadier PS Gothra's book paints a grim image of Kashmir conflict, daily grind of fighting militancy
In Soldiering: A Life On The Edge, Brigadier PS Gothra talks about the Kashmir conflict through the life and times of a rather ordinary Captain, shorn of glory, but going through the daily grind of fighting militancy in the Valley

Petition in SC protesting non-adherence to AFSPA, investigation by CBI requires understanding of conditions army operates in
AFSPA provides partial protection from prosecution due to prior approval by the Central Government, but it gives no protection from investigation, and that gives scope for much harassment of soldiers against whom FIRs can be registered