NEWS 1:AFSPA extended for six months in parts of Manipur Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland due to ongoing security concerns.
GS-3 internal security
- The Union Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for six months.
- In Manipur, AFSPA remains in effect across the state, excluding the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five valley districts.
- In Nagaland, the extension covers nine districts and 21 police station limits across five other districts.
- Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh, along with specific areas in Namsai district, are declared “disturbed areas” for six months.
- Enacted in 1958 for the Naga Hills, later extended to other regions facing insurgency.
- Gives special powers to the armed forces in “disturbed areas” declared by the central or state government.
Key Provisions
- Declaration of Disturbed Area: Governor of a state or the Central Government can declare an area “disturbed.”
- Special Powers:
- Use force, even to the extent of causing death, against persons acting in contravention of law.
- Arrest without warrant, based on reasonable suspicion.
- Enter and search premises without warrant.
- Destroy arms dumps, fortified positions, or shelters used by insurgents.
- Legal Immunity: No prosecution of security forces without prior sanction of the central government.
States under AFSPA
Historically applied in Nagaland, Manipur (except Imphal municipal area), Assam, parts of Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- J&K: AFSPA came into force in 1990.
- Over the years, areas have been gradually withdrawn from AFSPA as violence declined.
Arguments in Favour
- Necessary for counter-insurgency operations.
- Provides security forces with legal protection in hostile environments.
- Helps restore peace and normalcy in insurgency-affected areas.
Criticism
- Alleged human rights violations (fake encounters, custodial deaths, torture).
- Viewed as draconian and against democratic values.
- Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) recommended repeal of AFSPA, calling it “a symbol of oppression.”
NEWS 2:ExMinisters and environmentalists petition SC to review Char Dham road widening judgment citing ecological damage and increased disasters.
GS-3 disaster management
- Murli Manohar Joshi, Karan Singh, environmentalists, and scientists appealed to the Supreme Court to review its 2021 judgment on the Char Dham project.
- The appeal contests the permission to widen Himalayan roads beyond 5.5 metres.
- The Char Dham project involves widening roads in the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ) and roads leading to the India-China border.
- Petitioners argue that road widening is causing environmental damage, landslides, and roadblocks.
The Char Dham Road Project is a major infrastructure initiative in Uttarakhand
- Announced in 2016, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.
- Aim: All-weather connectivity to the four sacred Hindu shrines (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath) in Uttarakhand, collectively known as Char Dham.
- Total length: Around 900 km of highways to be upgraded/widened.
Objectives
- Facilitate pilgrimage tourism and religious travel.
- Provide strategic connectivity to the India-China border (important for troop and supply movement).
- Improve regional development in Uttarakhand.
Features
- Roads upgraded to two-lane (intermediate width) with paved shoulders.
- Includes bridges, tunnels, bypasses, and slope stabilization measures.
- Estimated cost: Around ₹12,000 crores (revised upward later).
Controversies & Issues
- Environmental Concerns: Large-scale deforestation, slope cutting, landslides, and destabilization of fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
- Supreme Court Involvement: Multiple petitions filed.
- SC initially limited road width to 5.5m (as per 2018 circular).
- Later, citing national security, SC allowed wider 10m roads on 3 strategic stretches leading to Indo-China border.
- Disaster Vulnerability: Experts warn that hasty construction worsens landslides and flash floods in ecologically sensitive areas.
Current Status
- Several stretches completed, others ongoing.
- Project is being executed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
- Balancing development, religious tourism, and environmental sustainability remains a challenge.
NEWS 3:The Indian Air Force (IAF) formally decommissioned the MiG21 fighter jets at a grand ceremony in Chandigarh marking the end of the aircraft’s nearly 60 year long operational journey in Indias defence history.
GS-3 internal security
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed MiG-21 a symbol of India-Russia defence partnership.
- No. 23 Squadron (Panthers), the last to operate MiG-21 Bisons, performed the final sortie.
- Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew the last operational sortie (Badal 3).
- Ceremonial switch-off of six MiG-21s and handing over of aircraft Form-700 concluded the service.
- Veterans, including former IAF chiefs, participated in the farewell; aerobatic displays by Surya Kiran, Tejas, and Jaguars marked the occasion.
- MiG-21 played crucial roles in 1971 War, Kargil conflict, Balakot airstrike, and Operation Sindoor.
- Decommissioning reduced IAF’s squadron strength to 29 squadrons, lowest since the 1960s.
- · MiG-21: Supersonic jet fighter aircraft designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (USSR) in the 1950s.
- · Introduced in India in 1963; became the backbone of IAF for decades.
- · Nicknamed “Type-77” in India.
Variants in India
- MiG-21FL, MiG-21M, MiG-21bis, and MiG-21 Bison (upgraded with modern avionics and weapons).
Strengths
- Supersonic speed, simple design, and cost-effective.
- Served as a reliable workhorse for decades.
- Easy to maintain in large numbers.
Criticism / Problems
- Ageing platform – first introduced 60+ years ago.
- High accident rate – nicknamed “Flying Coffin” in India.
- Over 400 MiG-21s lost in crashes since induction, killing 200+ pilots.
- Safety concerns led to public pressure for phase-out.
Phase-Out Plan
- IAF has been progressively retiring MiG-21 squadrons.
- Only a few MiG-21 Bison squadrons remain in service (as of 2025, scheduled to retire by 2025–26).
- Being replaced by Tejas LCA, Rafale, and upgraded Su-30 MKI.
MAINS MOCK QUESTION
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has often been described as a necessary evil in India’s internal security framework. Critically examine the relevance of AFSPA in the present security context of the country.
