The Assam government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, in three districts for another six months, effective from 1st October.
Assam government issued a notification today, stating that the AFSPA has been extended in areas covering Tinsukia, Charaideo and Sivasagar districts.
The state government had recommended to the Centre that the ‘Disturbed Area’ status under the AFSPA be extended in Tinsukia, Charaideo and Sivasagar districts for an additional period of six months, according to the notification issued by the state’s Political (A) Department.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs agreed with the state government’s view to retain the status in the three districts, and the extension was granted, it said.
The state government observed that the law and order situation in the state, in the context of extremist-related violence, has improved significantly due to “sustained efforts and proactive counterinsurgency measures of security forces”.
Despite these improvements, there have been sporadic incidents (of violence) by suspected ULFA(I) cadres, the only militant group active in the state, along with movement of NSCN(K-YA) cadres, mainly for the purpose of extortion, subversive activities and recruitment of youth in these three districts, it said.
The AFSPA was withdrawn from the entire state on April 1, 2022, barring nine districts and a sub-division of Cachar district. Subsequently, it was withdrawn from the six districts in phases.
The state was declared a ‘Disturbed Area’ under AFSPA on the intervening night of November 27-28, 1990.
Since then, the application of the law has been extended every six months after a review by the state government, with a report sent to the Union Home Ministry for consideration.
The act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without a prior warrant. It also gives a certain level of immunity to the security forces in case an operation goes wrong.
