CPI welcomes Tripura Govt's decision to lift AFSPA

Welcoming Tripura Government's decision to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from the state, CPI today demanded that the Centre repeals the law.
Expressing concern over the alleged "abuse" of the act leading to violation of human and democratic rights of locals, CPI said what Tripura Government has done is the "right thing".
"There has been the demand in North-East including Manipur that AFSPA be repealed. A similar demand has also been raised in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Over the years, use and abuse of the act has led to violation of human and democratic rights and led to alienation of local people. The new situation demands that the Centre should review the situation and ensure AFSPA is repealed. Tripura has done the right thing," CPI Rajya Sabha member D Raja said.

The Manik Sarkar-led Tripura Government yesterday lifted AFSPA from the state, 18 years after it was brought into effect to curb insurgency. AFSPA was imposed in the state on February 16, 1997 following spurt in violence by the ultras.