SC to hear pleas of 350 Army officers regarding FIRs under AFSPA

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday will hear pleas of over 350 Indian Army soldiers who have said FIRs should not be lodged against them if someone is killed during security operations in states where Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is in force.

The soldiers have said that cases registered against them would serve to demoralise security personnel - military and para-military, and could make soldiers hesitate during confrontations with terrorists or naxals. They have said in their petition that it is not in the interest of the country to have demoralised security personnel.

Through the petition, the soldiers have also said that registering FIRs against security forces is against the provisions of AFSPA.

AFSPA was first introduced by the Parliament back in 1958 for 'disturbed' areas where security forces are given special powers to carry out their duties. In such areas, security forces are even permitted to go to the extent of killing someone if he/she - after warnings - continues to break the law and/or disturbs peace.

Several armed forces personnel are facing prosecution for alleged excesses and fake encounters in states like Manipur where AFSPA is in force. Prosecutions in some of those cases have been initiated following a direction from the apex court, especially in Manipur.

It is to be noted that AFSPA is currently in force in Kashmir and parts of the North-east.