By NewsGram Staff Writer

The controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), which has been in effect in Tripura for the last 18 years to curb insurgency, has finally been removed by the north-eastern state.

According to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who is also the Home Minister of the state, the landmark decision was taken during a meeting of the council of ministers during the day.

"We have reviewed the situation of the disturbed areas of the state after every six months and also discussed the issue with the state police and other security forces working in the state", Sarkar said.

"They suggested that there is no requirement of the Act now as the insurgency problem has largely been contained. We would soon issue gazette notification in this regard," Sarkar told reporters.

Highlighting the improved security apparatus in the state, Sarkar said, "When the Act was imposed there were only 42 police stations and two-third of the entire police station areas were under this act.

At present, there are 74 police stations, out of which 26 police stations were fully and 4 were partly under the Act till recently.

The Act was imposed in the state on February 16, 1997 following spurt of violence by the ultras.