About AFSPA

• Passed in 1958 for the North-East and in 1990 for Jammu & Kashmir, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) gives armed forces special powers to control “disturbed areas”, which are designated by the government when it is of the opinion that a region is in such a disturbed or dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary.
• An area can be disturbed due to differences or disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities. 
• The Central Government, or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.
• Under its provisions, the armed forces have been empowered to open fire, enter and search without warrant, and arrest any person who has committed a cognisable offence, all while having immunity from being prosecuted.
• The law has been repealed where insurgencies have subsided, and when governments have gained confidence in managing the region using the police force. 

Criticisms

• Critics both in India and abroad have criticised government agencies for acting with impunity under AFSPA. 
• Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila had been on a 16-year hunger strike in protest against AFSPA. 
• The Jeevan Reddy Committee formed in 2004 recommended a complete repeal of the law.

Why in News?

• The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland with effect from October 1, this year. 
• The AFSPA has been in force in a few districts and police station areas in both Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for many years now and it is extended periodically. 

https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Centre-extends-Armed-Forces-Act-in-some-parts-of-Arunachal-Pradesh-and-Nagaland-with-effect-from-first-of-October&id=468454