The search for the real problem behind the AFSPA. Those who
believe the West to be the hand behind all inhumane actions are
mistaken. The World Wars, the Cold War, colonialism and now the
War on Terror were all based on a certain mindset. The latter in
particular is hinged on the Authorization for the Use of
Military Force (AUMF). Imposed after the September 11th attacks,
AUMF allows the US and its coalition partners to pursue
terrorists globally to safeguard their national security. This
self defense excuse has taken the war beyond America to Iraq,
Afghanistan and most recently to Pakistan. With over250,000
military and civilian lives lost, the war has become an
extremely contentious issue. The tyrannical act of AUMF has an
evil eastern twin in India called the Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA). It has been dubbed as the “draconian act” or
“black law” that bestows extraordinary powers to the military in
combating terrorism. The act traces its roots back to the
Colonial rulers who used it to quell the Q