Govt reduces areas under AFSPA in Tripura

AGARTALA: With insurgency on the wane in Tripura, the government has reduced the areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 ( AFSPA), which gave ample powers to paramilitary forces to conduct search or arrest people in the name of insurgency.

A notification issued by the government on June 5 said the matter was reviewed and after consideration of the overall law and order situation of the state, the areas were reduced.

The act was first put into effect in 40 of the total 70 police station areas in the state in February 1997, when the conflict between the insurgents and security forces were at its peak. Now it would be effective fully in 25 police station areas, and partly in seven.

Chief Secretary, S K Panda today said vehicles were allowed to ply on the national highway (NH-44) up to 6 p.m., but now onwards the vehicles would be allowed to ply till 8 pm and security forces would continue their patrolling along the highway till 8 p.m.

The two banned outfits - National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) are still operating from their base in neighbouring Bangladesh.