AFSPA Turns 55

As the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) completed 55 years of its existence on 22nd May 2013, the debate on its purpose still rages on. The Jeevan Reddy Commission was set up following massive protests in Manipur against the Act. The panel was asked to review the Act and advise the government whether amendments were needed to protect human rights  or replace it with a new humane one. It submitted its report to the government on 6th June 2005. However, the government is unwilling either to repeal or soften AFSPA. The law was also enforced in Jammu and Kashmir as The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 in July 1990.