New Delhi, February 24, 2010: In an attempt to make the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act more humane, the Centre is likely to introduce removal of some sections of the law in the current session of Parliament which may include withdrawal of shoot at sight powers given to officers of security forces.

The step comes as a measure to address the long-standing demand of the people of insurgency hit North-Eastern region, especially of Manipur, who want withdrawal of the Act, official sources said.

One of the major amendments, once approved by Parliament, may see removal of the provision in Section 4 of the Act which gives powers to fire upon and even kill people to security forces if they feel necessary for "maintenance of public order", they said.

Another change may be incorporation of the safeguards and the list of "Do's and Don'ts" which were given by the Supreme Court in one of its judgment on AFSPA, they said.

The Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee had recommended that AFSPA be scrapped and its main provisions incorporated into the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (ULPA).

The demand for the repeal of AFSPA became a major issue in 2004 following the custodial killing and alleged sexual molestation of a Manipuri woman, Manorama by personnel of Assam Rifles.

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