Armed forces (special powers) act, 1958 (28 of 1958)

Violence became the way of life in north-eastern States of India. State administration became incapable to maintain its internal disturbance. In order to contain the menace the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Ordinance was promulgated by the President on 22nd May of 1958. In which some special powers have been given to the members of the armed forces in disturbed areas in the State of Assam and Union Territory of Manipur. To replace the said Ordinance by an Act of Parliament the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill was introduced in the Parliament.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

An ordinance entitled the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Ordinance, 1958, was promulgated by the President on the 22nd May, 1958. Section 3 of the Ordinance empowers the Governor of Assam and the Chief Commissioner of Manipur to declare the whole or any part of Assam or the Union Territory of Manipur, as the case may be, to be a disturbed area. On such a declaration being made in the Official Gazette, any Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer, non-commissioned officer or any other person of equivalent rank in the armed forces may exercise, in the disturbed area, the powers conferred by sections 4 and 5 of the Ordinance. The Bill seeks to replace the Ordinance.

ACT 28 OF 1958

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill having been passed by both the Houses of Parliament received the assent of the President on 11th September, 1958. It came on the Statute Book as THE ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT, 1958 (28 of 1958).

LIST OF AMENDING ACTS

1. The Repealing and Amending Act, 1960 (58 of 1960).

2. The Armed Forces Special Powers (Extension to Union Territory of Tripura) Act, 1970.

3. The Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers (Amendment) Act, 1972 (7 of 1972). 4. The State of Mizoram Act, 1986 (34 of 1986).

5. The State of Arunachal Pradesh Act, 1986 (69 of 1986).