Explanation:

The Centre has revoked The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Meghalaya since April 1, a senior Home Ministry official told The Hindu on Monday. Earlier the AFSPA was effective in 20 km area along the Assam-Meghalaya border.The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is effective in whole of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur (excluding seven assembly constituencies of Imphal) and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. As per Section 3 of the AFSPA, it can be invoked in places “where the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.”

The AFSPA gives power to army and central forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant and provide cover to forces from prosecution and legal suits without Centre’s sanction.