AFSPA rollback: Rajth assures AAPSU

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, May 4: The All Aruchal Pradesh Student’s Union (AAPSU) today said it has received assurance from union home affairs minister Rajth Singh that his ministry would look into the matter of rolling back the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Aruchal Pradesh. An AAPSU team had called on the union minister at his New Delhi residence on Sunday and submitted a memorandum in the matter.

Singh said that while the notification regarding extending the AFSPA to nine other districts (besides Tirap, Changlang and Longding) is being kept in abeyance, he would discuss the entire issue with union MoS for home affairs Kiren Rijiju “and the decision would be based on his (Rijiju’s) wish and interpretation,” the AAPSU stated in a press release today.

AAPSU president Kamta Lapung informed Singh that the strict customs of the tribes of Aruchal Pradesh prevent illegal activities from occurring, therefore the AFSPA is not relevant to the people of the state. NESO coorditor Pritam Som said while the people of Aruchal are thankful to the Centre for inducting Rijiju as MoS for home affairs, it is unfortute that the AFSPA has been extended in the state after his receiving the portfolio, even though Aruchal Pradesh is known as an island of peace and the people there are peace-loving and patriotic, the release added.