From WikiAssam

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, is now called the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers (Amendment) Act, 1972. This act is applicable only in the seven Northeastern Indian states.

This law ultimately draws from the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Ordinance 1942, a British colonial law ([1]).

Under this law, the security forces are given unrestricted and unaccounted powers to take action in the region in which it is applied. The most controvertial provision is Article 4, which grants all security personnel above the rank of a jawan (private) the power to shoot to kill anyone if he is "of the opinion that it is necessary to do so for the maintenance of public order". Further, security personnel can enter any property and conduct search without a warrant or effect preventive detention without a warrant.

Human rights organizations claim that these powers have been abused to conduct extra-judicial killings and terrorize the people. In July, 2004, the killing of Thangjam Manorama in Imphal, Manipur by personnel of the Assam Rifles has triggered widespread protests in the state that demanded the repeal of the Act.

Government of India claims this Act is required to tackle the insurgent situation in the state and elsewhere.

External Links

• Text of AFSPA From satp.org.
• AFSPA: A Study From South Asia Human Rights Documentation Center