Tripura lifts AFSPA, others await withdrawal of the draconian act 8 Photos . Updated: 28 May 2015, 01:34 PM IST Livemint Tripura has repealed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) after 18 years. The act, which gives sweeping powers and immunity to the army in conflict-hit areas, has often faced flak from human rights groups. A look at the states under AFSPA 1/8Tripura has repealed the act on Wednesday after reviewing the situation of the disturbed areas of the state. The Act was imposed in the state on 16 February 1997 following a spurt of violence by the insurgents—a problem that has largely been contained. Reuters 2/8Jammu & Kashmir: The state has been one of the most vociferous opponents of the act due to gross violations of human rights. Tensions between India and Pakistan, and the on-going separatist movements deter the authorities from repealing the act here. Reuters 3/8Manipur: Manipur’s human rights activist Irom Sharmila has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 15 years, demanding the withdrawal of the act. Since 1980, Manipur has been a “disturbed area” under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958. HT 4/8Arunachal Pradesh: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act now exists in all the seven states of the North-East, except Tripura. In Arunachal Pradesh, it exists in 12 of the 14 districts declared “disturbed areas”. Reuters 5/8Assam: AFSPA has been in force in Assam since 1990 when ULFA was declared outlawed and an army crackdown was launched. Organizations here have been appealing for justice for the innocents killed by security forces such as the Assam Rifles. AFP 6/8Meghalaya: In 2013, it was declared that AFSPA will be extended 20 km only in Meghalaya along the border with Assam. Reuters 7/8Nagaland: AFSPA was passed in 1958 when the Naga movement for independence had just begun. The state today is peaceful, except for tensions due to infiltration of migrants from Assam. The state govt has been demanding withdrawal of the 54-year-old Act. Reuters 8/8Mizoram: The problem of insurgency in Mizoram came to an end after signing the Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986. Since then Mizoram has been a peaceful state. But there has been no attempt from the government of India to lift AFSPA from Mizoram. AFP