AFSPA to be continued in various part of North East India including Manipur

IT News
Imphal, Nov 29: Election time promises by leaders of political parties assuring removal of disturb area status from the state of Manipur turn out to be another political gimmick to capture vote bank as no move is seen to be taken up for withdrawing of disturb area status from the state. Controversial Arm Forces Special Powers Act 1958, is enforced in the state of Manipur and other part of North eastern states except in the 7 Assembly constituencies of Greater Imphal area.
Source said, that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs opines AFSPA as a useful act for the armed forces to control anti social element in the region.
Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and senior officials of the Assam Rifles had stated the the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by senior Congress leader P Chidambaram about the security situation of the North East states on Tuesday. During the meeting the Rajiv Gauba was quoted as saying that security situation improve in the north east states because of the imposition of AFSPA.
Mentioned may be made that, the then leaders of the BJP Manipur Pradesh had stated that once the party came to power in the state then the imposition of AFSPA will be removed by lifting the disturb area tag. However, even after nearly 8 months in government , the BJP led government in the state has not initiated any proceeding to remove the disturb area status from the state of Manipur, a source said. It further added that the idea of lifting disturbed area status from the whole of the state is not advice from the Ministry of Home Affairs government of India.
On the other hand, with state assembly election knocking at the door for Nagaland, similar political gimmick is seen on the political theatre. Political parties of the state now showed serious concerns on AFSPA. Ruling NPF had taken up the issue of AFSPA with extra seriousness and now the the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, NPCC has extended support to the demand for removal of ‘disturbed area’ tag on Nagaland.
In a release, the NPCC stated that the proposal for extension of the existing disturbed area act in Nagaland is not necessary as the situation is largely peaceful and the centre is engaged in peaceful and inclusive negotiations with Naga political groups.