Meghalaya CM hail centre’s decision to reduce disturbed areas under AFSPA

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 31, 2022

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday hailed the Centre’s decision to reduce the disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.

“We welcome the move and the step that has been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” Sangma told reporters.

Stating that it is a long pending demand of the NE people to repeal the draconian law, the chief minister said, “This (decision) will surely send a very positive message for the people of the region and this is another reflection about the concerns that the PM and HM have for the people of the NE.”

“We have always been stressing that the AFSPA is an Act that has gone beyond its time and it is something that has been not really achieving the objective that it was meant to and given the current situation and circumstances in the region, this act should be repealed completely,” he asserted.

Sangma further said that the centre’s decision will also be a confidence building among the people.

“I would once again like to thank the PM and the HM for deciding to reduce the overall impact of AFSPA in a large number of areas in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland,” he added.