TNT News

ITANAGAR: With the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) being imposed in 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, the armed forces may be misusing their powers already, as the army was accused of rape charges on April 6. Army soldiers targeted three women in their alleged rape and molestation attempts.

Taking into consideration that Arunachal Pradesh has been the most peaceful state in the North East with no history of home grown insurgency, extension of AFSPA to border districts of the state in entirety is not justified at this stage

Union minister of state for home affairs, Kiren Rijiju, had earlier stated that he has instructed officials of his ministry to review the Centre’s decision to impose the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. He said that the officials will also seek the state government’s views on the matter.

“I have directed the home ministry to review the decision and seek suggestions from the state government,” he said in a statement.

According to him, the Union home ministry took the decision because the ongoing operation against NDFB-S and other outfits may not succeed if militants find a safe heaven in Arunachal.

“We are a democratic government. If the state government is uncomfortable with this step, we will honour their concern. Law and order is a state subject and the Union home ministry can only deal with national security by working closely with the state government,” he explained.

Stating that the Centre would adhere to the spirit of cooperative federalism, Rijiju said that he is in touch with Arunachal home minister Tanga Byaling.

“Some modalities need to be worked out and the views of the state government have been sought. The fact remains, however, that rebels are working in the border areas of Arunachal,” he said.

“I would like to appeal to both the state government and the residents to be alert about the movement of militants from outside the state entering Arunachal,” he added.

However, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Tanga Byaling denied the statement of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju of having telephonic conversation with him in regard to the extension of AFSPA in all districts bordering with Assam.

He said no intelligence information was shared with the state home department in connection with the recent attack on army by armed militants at Khonsa in Tirap district leading to the death of four jawans as claimed by Rijiju.

Byaling said that he had sought detailed report from security agencies and district administrations from across the state but could not ascertain the presence of any extremist hideout as claimed.