No AFSPA In Meghalaya, Several Areas Of Arunachal Pradesh Since 1 April: Home Ministry

The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been totally withdrawn from Meghalaya and eight police stations in Arunachal Pradesh since 1 April, a Union Home Ministry official said today (23 Arpil).

40 per cent of Meghalaya and 16 police stations in Arunachal Pradesh were under AFSPA till September 2017, as reported by the Indian Express. However, after a recent security review, AFSPA has been withdrawn from the areas in consultation with the state governments.

Insurgency in the North-East has been on a wane with a 63 per cent decline in terrorist incidents since the last four years. Civilian deaths have also been 83 per cent lower in the same time period.

The militant rehabilitation policy in North-East has also been upgraded with the aid being increased to Rs 4 lakh from the previous Rs 1 lakh. Restricted and protected area permits for foreigners visiting Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland have also been relaxed, excluding visitors from China, Pakistan and Afghanistan.