AGARTALA: The
Tripura government on Wednesday lifted the Armed Forces (Special Powers)
Act, (AFSPA) from the state with immediate effect, chief minister Manik
Sarkar announced. The Act has been in force in the one
militancy-ravaged state since 1997, Sarkar told media the decision was
taken in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
"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," Sarkar stated.
The
Act was promulgated in the state in February 16, 1997 due to relentless
violence and bloodshed. As per the provisions of the Act, it was
reviewed and extended in every six months since then. The last six-month
extension was in November last year and it’s term ends this month-end.
"Recently,
when the proposal of further extension of AFSPA came to the government,
we sought report from all concerns about latest law and order situation
in regard to extremists’ presence and activities. Finally, the security
agencies have agreed to the proposal of lifting the Act here," Sarkar
added.
Sarkar said that initially, AFSPA was promulgated across
two-third of the total police station areas but gradually the coverage
of the Act was reduced with the improving situation. At present AFSPA
was in fully operational in 26 police stations areas and partially in
four police station areas out of 74 police stations and 36 out posts of
Tripura.
"There is a qualitative change in the law and order
situation and the development of the state is in take off stage. Peace
loving people don’t want violence rather insisted the government for
development at par with rest of the country. So we also reviewed it
found AFSPA need not to be extended anymore," he said.