Which of the following Statement(s) regarding the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is/are correct? (i) Recently the Central Government has removed AFSPA from 15 police station areas in seven districts of Nagaland. (ii) In 2015, the Government removed AFSPA entirely from Tripura and Meghalaya. (iii) The notification of “disturbed areas” under AFSPA has been in force in Assam since 1990.

The correct answer is ‘All of the above’ Key Points The central government has decided to reduce the disturbed areas under the ambit of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades. The reduction in areas under AFSPA has come as a result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), AFSPA is being removed from 15 police station areas in seven districts of Nagaland, 15 police station areas in six districts of Manipur, and 23 districts entirely and one district partially in Assam. The decision comes in the backdrop of vociferous demands for AFSPA to be lifted after six civilians were gunned down in Nagaland’s Mon district last December in a botched operation by security personnel. The notification of “disturbed areas” under AFSPA has been in force in Assam since 1990, Nagaland since 1995, and in Manipur. Starting in 2015, the Government removed AFSPA entirely from Tripura and Meghalaya, and partially from Arunachal Pradesh, which currently has three districts and two police station areas in a fourth district under the Act.