Armed Forces (Special Powers) Ordinance

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Ordinance (AFSPA), 1958, empowers the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in "disturbed areas" that face insurgency or unrest. It allows soldiers to arrest without a warrant, use force, and even open fire in certain situations. The law aims to give the military the authority to act decisively to restore peace, but it has been controversial, with critics arguing that it can lead to human rights abuses. The ordinance is often debated in the context of its necessity for security versus the need for accountability and civil liberties.