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Tripura Govt withdraws AFSPA after 18 years

by IBNS 27 May 2015, 10:45 pm

Agartala, May 28 (IBNS) The Tripura government has decided to lift Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), a controversial law which has been in force in the state for 18 years to curb insurgency.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said on Wednesday that the decision was taken in the meeting of the council of ministers.

The  Act was imposed in the state on February 16, 1997 following escalated violence by insurgent groups. 

"We have reviewed the situation of the disturbed areas of the state after every six months and also discussed the issue with the state police and other security forces working in the state," he said.

"Insurgency activities in the state are now reduced almost at zero. The demand for withdrawing the AFSPA has been persuaded at various levels, but we could not take a decision because the security forces did not clear it. It has been suggested in themeeting that  there is no requirement of the Act now.  We would soon issue gazette notification in this regard," Sarkar told reporters.