Govt rules out revoking AFSPA in Northeast

The government today ruled out revoking the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from "some" of the North-Eastern states in the wake of the security situation there.

Minister of state for home affairs Mullappally Ramachandran stated this in reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

The members of the House had asked whether the government was contemplating withdrawing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from North-Eastern states including Manipur.

"No, Madam. In view of security situation in some of the NE states, it is necessary that the Act continues to be in force," the minister said.

There have been demands from various quarters in the North-East for the withdrawal of the Act.