Centre welcomes withdrawal of AFSPA in Tripura

The Centre today welcomed Tripura government's decision to lift AFSPA saying there was no need for the state government to take the consent of the central government while taking the move.

"I would like to welcome the very important decision of Tripura government to lift the Armed Forces Special Powers Act," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters.
Rijiju said the decision of Tripura government was valid because AFSPA imposed by the state government.

"Wherever such a decision is taken by the Home Ministry in consultation with the state government, the central government has to take a decision," he said.

The Minister said that in past one year, the situation in Tripura has improved a lot and the Home Ministry has already appointed an interlocutor to negotiate with state's militant group National Liberation Front of Tripura.

Tripura government had yesterday decided to lift AFSPA from the state where the controversial law was in vogue for the last 18 years to curb insurgency.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the state government had reviewed the situation of the disturbed areas of the state after every six months and also discussed the issue with the state police and other security forces working in the state.

"They suggested that there is no requirement of the Act now as the insurgency problem has largely been contained. We would soon issue a gazette notification in this regard," Sarkar said.

The Act was imposed in the state on February 16, 1997.