Will remove AFSPA from Northeast barring one or two States next year: Shah

On June 11, 2026, the Central Government, along with the Governments of Assam and Nagaland, signed a tripartite MoU for joint oil and mineral exploration alo...

What Happened

On June 11, 2026, the Central Government, along with the Governments of Assam and Nagaland, signed a tripartite MoU for joint oil and mineral exploration along the disputed Assam-Nagaland border, described officially as removing "the last hurdle" in Northeast development.
The MoU was characterised as a "historic moment" as it resolves a long-standing impasse: the Assam-Nagaland boundary dispute had prevented exploration of substantial hydrocarbon reserves in the border belt.
Simultaneously, a policy announcement was made that AFSPA is expected to be withdrawn from the entire Northeast barring one or two states within the next year.
The rationale offered was a measurable security improvement: approximately 80% decline in violent incidents and an 80% shrinkage in the geographic footprint of AFSPA-notified areas since 2019.
The MoU covers more than 1,000 sq km of the border region, with a 50:50 resource-sharing formula agreed between Assam and Nagaland.

Static Topic Bridges

AFSPA — Constitutional Validity, Provisions, and Human Rights Critiques

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, grants sweeping operational powers to armed forces personnel in declared "disturbed areas." Section 4 allows officers of the rank of non-commissioned officer and above to use lethal force against anyone violating a prohibitory order or acting in a manner likely to endanger public order. Section 6 bars courts from taking cognisance of any suit against an armed forces member unless the Central Government grants sanction — a provision repeatedly contested as creating impunity. The Act's constitutional validity was upheld by a five-judge bench in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997), subject to several safeguards: periodic review every six months, minimum force, and consultation with state governments.

AFSPA enacted: 1958; applies to Northeast India and Jammu & Kashmir (through a separate J&K AFSPA)
Section 4(a): Power to use lethal force if "necessary to maintain public order"
Section 6: Prosecution requires Central Government sanction — core human rights concern
Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005): Recommended repeal of AFSPA and its replacement with a more humane law; recommendation not implemented
Justice Verma Committee (1993) and the Supreme Court's 2016 suo-motu order (in the 1,528 fake encounters case in Manipur) reiterated accountability requirements
AFSPA does not apply in all of Northeast India uniformly — notifications vary by district or police station area

Connection to this news: The phased withdrawal reflects a rights-sensitive approach to internal security, where reduced insurgency translates into revocation of disturbed area notifications and restoration of normal law enforcement primacy.

Northeast Development and the "Act East" Framework

India's Act East Policy (formally articulated in 2014, evolving from the Look East Policy of 1991) positions the Northeast as a "gateway" to ASEAN and beyond. The region's connectivity and economic development are directly tied to political stability. Sustained insurgency has historically deterred investment, infrastructure development, and interstate commerce. The Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), established in 2001, coordinates development schemes for the eight Northeast states, including under the PM-DevINE scheme (Prime Minister's Development Initiative for Northeast Region), launched in 2022.

Look East Policy: 1991 (P.V. Narasimha Rao government)
Act East Policy: 2014 (formalised at ASEAN Summit, Myanmar)
DoNER Ministry: Established 2001
PM-DevINE scheme: Launched 2022, outlay of ₹6,600 crore for infrastructure and social development
Northeast states: Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim — often referred to as the "Eight Sisters"

Connection to this news: The tripartite MoU for energy exploration, alongside AFSPA withdrawal, represents the twin pillars of the Northeast strategy — security normalisation enabling economic integration.

Interstate Boundary Disputes — Origins of the Assam-Nagaland Conflict

The Assam-Nagaland border conflict originates from the creation of Nagaland as India's 16th state on December 1, 1963, carved out of the Naga Hills district of Assam. The boundary was never formally demarcated to mutual satisfaction, leading to periodic violence — notably in 1965, 1968, and 1979. The Supreme Court has periodically intervened, but a final resolution has remained elusive. The conflict has historically prevented oil exploration in the border area despite known reserves.

Nagaland statehood: December 1, 1963 (under States Reorganisation)
Constitution Article 3: Parliament has power to form new states and alter boundaries; the Nagaland State Act (1962) created the state effective 1963
The border conflict involves both territorial claims and access to natural resources
Assam-Arakan sedimentary basin underlies much of the disputed area — geologically confirmed to hold hydrocarbons
Oil India Limited (OIL), headquartered in Duliajan (Assam), is the primary public sector operator in the region

Connection to this news: The MoU represents a pragmatic workaround to the unsettled boundary question — enabling joint exploitation of shared resources without requiring a final territorial demarcation.

Key Facts & Data

AFSPA enacted: 1958; Section 3, Section 4, Section 6 are key operative provisions
Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India: November 27, 1997 — AFSPA upheld; minimum force, periodic review mandated
Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005): Recommended AFSPA repeal (not implemented)
States freed from AFSPA: Mizoram (1980s), Tripura (2015), Meghalaya (2018)
Violent incidents in Northeast: approximately 80% reduction since 2019
AFSPA-notified area: approximately 80% reduction since 2019
MoU area: more than 1,000 sq km, Assam-Nagaland border
Resource-sharing: 50:50 between Assam and Nagaland
Nagaland statehood: December 1, 1963
Act East Policy: 2014; DoNER Ministry: 2001; PM-DevINE: 2022 (₹6,600 crore outlay)