What does AFSPA mean in MILITARY
Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is an act of the Parliament of India, which gives special powers to the armed forces of India for "maintaining law and order" in disturbed areas. Under this act, the army has been given special powers to take action against terrorists in certain defined “disturbed areas” where a state’s local police force cannot or does not have enough resources or power to maintain the situation. AFSPA ensures that the Army personnel do not face prosecution or any legal proceedings for their actions while on duty even if it involves violation of human rights as long as they are acting in good faith according to their understanding of the situation.
AFSPA meaning in Military in Governmental
AFSPA mostly used in an acronym Military in Category Governmental that means Armed Forces Special Powers Act
Shorthand: AFSPA,
Full Form: Armed Forces Special Powers Act
For more information of "Armed Forces Special Powers Act", see the section below.
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What does AFSPA mean?
AFSPA stands for Armed Forces Special Powers Act. It was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1958 and is still in force in certain parts of India such as Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and Tripura. This Act gives special powers to the armed forces for maintaining law and order in what are called “disturbed areas”; these include areas affected by insurgency, terrorism, communal violence, internal disturbances, organized crime or any other form of civil unrest.
Purpose
The purpose of this act is to give full protection and immunity from legal proceedings to security forces like police and military that act while discharging their duties towards maintaining law and order in disturbed regions around India. This enables security personnel to counter violent activities without fear of facing any legal action due to any mistake made during operations. The law is meant only for highly disturbed areas which require extra-constitutional measures like curfews, search-and-seizures and entering private properties without permission from local authorities.
Provisions
AFSPA provides extra-constitutional powers including right to shoot at sight if there is reasonable suspicion that a criminal activity was taking place; entering property without permission from local authorities; arresting people without warrant; searching places without warrant; retaining communication equipment procured during operations; controlling movement through roads and highways under military control; sanctioning use of force if necessary; using explosives as required etcetera. The government can also call upon other forces working under its command such as paramilitary forces like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) or Border Security Force (BSF) to be deployed along with army personnel when necessary.
Essential Questions and Answers on Armed Forces Special Powers Act in "GOVERNMENTAL»MILITARY"
What is Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)?
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is a law enacted by the Indian Parliament in 1958 which enables the Indian government to deploy armed forces in “disturbed areas” of the country. It also gives special powers to security forces, such as the right to search or arrest any person without a warrant, and even use lethal force against anyone they consider to be a threat.
Why was AFSPA implemented?
The AFSPA was implemented to help maintain law and order in areas affected by internal disturbances or external aggression. It was intended to protect citizens from violence and intimidation while allowing for state action against those who disrupt peace and stability.
What are some of the criticisms of AFSPA?
Critics argue that AFSPA gives too much power to security forces, empowering them to operate above the law with impunity. They also point out that it is disproportionately used against minority populations, such as tribal groups in the North-East region, leading to human rights violations.
How has the Supreme Court ruled on AFSPA?
In 1997, a five-judge bench of India’s Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of AFSPA but held that certain provisions should be amended to ensure it does not violate human rights. In 2016, the court ruled that consent from state governments is required before deploying armed forces under AFSPA.
Does AFSPCA give immunity to officers from prosecution?
No. While Section 6 of the act states that no criminal proceedings can be initiated against any member of armed forces deployed under this act without prior sanction from Central Government authorities, this does not mean they have absolute immunity from prosecution if any wrong-doing is found during their operations.
Final Words:
AFSPA is a controversial piece of legislation that has raised questions about human rights abuses since it grants sweeping powers with no accountability checks. Critics argue that though it may be essential when dealing with extreme situations, it should not be misused against innocent people or used as a tool of oppression by those who hold power over others. However, despite these concerns there are many who believe that AFSPA provides an important safeguard against criminal elements operating within highly disturbed areas.