Centre Sign Pact With Armed Group
Source : Indian Express
GS III : Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
What is discussed under Centre Sign Pact With Armed Group?
- About the Pact
- Current Status of AFSPA in North East?
Why in News ?
The Centre and Assam Government on Thursday signed a tripartite agreement with eight armed tribal groups in Assam to bring them into the mainstream and give them political and economic rights.
About the Pact
- Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People’s Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA), and Santhali Tiger Force are the organisations that signed the pact (STF).
- The final three organisations are offshoots of the BCF, AANLA, and ACMA.
- A special package of Rs. 1,000 crore (Rs. 500 crores by the Centre and Rs. 500 crores by Assam government) in five years was announced in the agreement.
- Establishment of a Tribal Welfare and Development Council with a view to ensure speedy and focused development of tea gardens.
- The agreement also provides for rehabilitation and resettlement of armed cadres and measures for their welfare.
What is the purpose of Pact?
- Responsibility of fulfilling political, educational and economic aspirations of the tribal people in Assam.
- Agreement is intended to not just protect but strengthen the social, cultural, linguistic and community-based identity.
Current Status of AFSPA in North East?
- Tripura and Meghalaya, the AFSPA was withdrawn completely.
- In the case of Arunachal Pradesh, the AFSPA remains in only three districts and two police stations in one district.
- It is not in force in Meghalaya (except a 20-kilometre area along the Assam border) and Mizoram.
- Nagaland, the disturbed area notification was removed from 15 police stations in seven districts.
AFSPA and Effect
- AFSPA gives powers to the Army and central forces deployed in disturbed areas to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant and provide cover to forces from prosecution and legal suits without the Centre’s sanction.
Previous Year Question
- Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by the security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by the Apex Court.
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