NEW DELHI, April 8 � Centre�s move to extend the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to 12 of its 19 districts has caught Arunachal Pradesh Government by surprise, with the State Government firming up plans to ask Modi Government for clarifications.
According to sources, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Nabam Tuki who arrived in the national capital today to take part in the North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting was caught unawares when he saw news reports about the Centre�s latest move.
Sources disclosed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had held no consultations with the State Government ahead of declaring 12 districts as �disturbed�. So far, only three districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding have been declared as disturbed and AFSPA is in force there.
It has been learnt that Tuki is expected to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and lodge a strong protest, besides seeking a roll-back, sources said, confirming that there has been sharp reactions to the Centre�s move in the State.
The Centre had last week notified 12 Arunachal districts bordering Assam as �disturbed areas� that will give security forces powers to operate under AFSPA.
The presence of numerous insurgent groups along the Assam-Arunachal border, including anti-talk faction of ULFA, Songbijit faction of NDFB(S), NSCN (K) and I-M factions led the Centre to promulgate AFSPA.
According to reports, the Centre had inputs that the Bodo militant outfits along with ULFA, which have set up headquarters in Myanmar�s Tago area was planning to smuggle arms through Arunachal. In addition, there were reports of the Naxals trying to set up bases in Arunachal Pradesh that borders China sending alarm bells ringing in Delhi.
