Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is likely to be withdrawn from most of the Northeast by next year, with only one or two states expected to remain under its provisions.
His remarks come as the Centre points to significant improvements in the region’s security situation and the success of ongoing peace initiatives.
Speaking about the government’s efforts in the Northeast, Shah highlighted the sharp decline in insurgency-related violence and the progress made through peace accords signed with various groups in recent years.
He said the gradual rollback of AFSPA from several areas reflects increasing stability, economic development, and a return to normalcy across the region.
According to Shah, the government’s emphasis on dialogue, infrastructure development, and coordinated security measures has created conditions that support the phased withdrawal of the law.
He also expressed confidence that security conditions will continue to improve in the remaining AFSPA-covered areas, making further relaxations possible in the future.
AFSPA grants special powers to the armed forces in regions designated as “disturbed areas,” including the authority to conduct searches, make arrests without warrants, and use force under specific circumstances.
While supporters argue that the law is essential for tackling insurgency and maintaining order, critics have long called for its repeal, citing concerns over human rights and accountability.
In recent years, the Centre has reduced the extent of AFSPA in several northeastern states, including parts of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, following assessments of the evolving security landscape.
Shah’s comments underscore the government’s optimism about the Northeast’s future and its belief that sustained peace and development are taking root across much of the region.
If the plan materialises, it would mark one of the most significant reductions in AFSPA’s footprint in the Northeast since the legislation was first introduced decades ago.
