Demand in Lok Sabha: Repeal draconian AFSPA in North East

NEW DELHI, APRIL 27 (PTI): A demand was made in the Lok Sabha today for repeal of the “draconian” Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the North East, with a few members saying it was the biggest deterrent in integrating the youth of the region with India.   Participating in a discussion on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of North East Development, members in the House made a case for bringing in change of strategy and political will for progress of North Eastern Region.   “For 50 years we have clamped AFSPA on the region. Armed forces have killed 50,000 plus civilians in North East. AFSPA has been the biggest deterrent of integrating NE youth with India... Remove AFSPA without any conditionality,” said BJD member Tathagata Satpathy.  

Thokchom Meinya (Congress) demanded immediate repeal of AFSPA from Manipur, saying the Act has been “draconian and black law”.   He said many agencies have said AFSPA should be repealed and the Centre should immediately repeal it. Satpathy said the government at the Centre would have to change its strategy to integrate the North Eastern people with the Indian culture. “It is a change in political will that is needed. It is not the BSF, armed forces who are at fault, it is politicians who are at fault,” he said.