Context:- Centre has decided to further reduce the jurisdiction of ‘disturbed areas’ under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.

An overview of the news

• The decision has been taken in view of the significant 

improvement in the security situation in North-East India.

• Compared to 2014, there has been a 76 percent reduction in extremist incidents in 2022.
• During this period, there has been a 90 percent reduction in the deaths of security personnel and 97 percent in the deaths of civilians.
• Earlier, in a historic move, the Center brought down the disturbed areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur from April 2022 under AFSPA.

What is AFSPA?

• Armed Forces Special Powers Act, (AFSPA), 1958, gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas.”
• It came into force decades ago in the context of insurgency in the northeastern states.
• It provides “special powers” to the army, air force and central paramilitary forces.
• The Act provides that if “reasonable suspicion exists“, the armed forces may also arrest any person without warrant; May enter or search premises without warrant and prohibit possession of firearms.

What are the Disturbed Areas?

• A disturbed area means which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA.
• A region may be disturbed because of differences or disputes between members of different, racial, religious, language or regional groups or castes or communities.
• The Central Government or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory have power to declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.