Guwahati, June 11 -- By NE NOW NEWS

Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is likely to be withdrawn from most of Northeast by next year, with the law expected to remain in force in only one or two states.

Speaking after the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre and the governments of Assam and Nagaland for mineral oil exploration in the disputed border belt, Shah said the proposed rollback reflects improving peace and stability across the region.

"I am confident that barring one or two states, we will withdraw AFSPA from the entire Northeast next year," he said.

The agreement is expected to facilitate the resumption of oil and miner...