MHA completely lifts controversial AFSPA from Meghalaya, dilutes it in Arunachal Pradesh

On Monday, the Union Home Ministry on Monday completely revoked the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers (AFSPA) from Meghalaya while diluting it in other regions of Arunachal Pradesh. Till September 2017, 40% of the geographic territory of Meghalaya was under AFSPA.

AFSPA was removed completely from the state, an MHA statement said on Monday.

No AFSPA in Meghalaya wef April 1. 40 per cent of the state was under the act. Relief for Arunachal Pradesh also. From 16 police stations on Arunachal-Assam border 8 under AFSPA now @dna

— Abhishek Bhalla (@AbhishekBhalla7) April 23, 2018

Surrender sops for North East insurgents enhanced. Grants increased to Rs 4 lakh from Rs. 1 lakh. Monthly stipend increased from Rs. 3500 to Rs. 6000 per month for three years @dna

— Abhishek Bhalla (@AbhishekBhalla7) April 23, 2018

As for Arunachal Pradesh, AFSPA is now applicable to only 8 police stations in Arunachal, down from 16 in 2017. The Home Ministry also increased the aid given under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy for militants in northeast from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh, which will be applicable from April 1, 2018.

The government also relaxed visa restrictions, saying that restricted and protected areas would be open to foreigners visiting Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. However, the restrictions remain for visitors from Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.

The report added that in the last four years, there’s been a 63% in insurgency-related incidents in the region, with a reduction of civilian deaths by 83% and 40% reduction in casualties of security forces in 2017.

In March 2018, the MHA said they had sanctioned the deployment of 10 India Reserve Battalion in northeast – two each for Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura. These forced are meant to replace central forced deployed in the region.