Panel To Decide On Withdrawing Controversial Law AFSPA From Nagaland

A committee will be formed to look into the withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio tweeted after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah this afternoon. The demand for the withdrawal of the law -- which gives a wide range of powers to the army -- had surged in the state after 14 civilians died earlier this month in a botched operation by the army in Mon district and the retaliatory violence. Protest marches were held across the state, including in state capital Kohima.