AFSPA extended in four Assam districts for six months

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has extended the purview of the draconian armed forces special powers act (AFSPA) in four districts of the state for an additional six months, starting from April 01.

A notification issued by the Assam government’s political department confirms the extension of the “disturbed area” tag under AFSPA in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo and Sivasagar districts.

Assam police’s report indicates an overall enhancement in the law and order situation across the state, except for the continued presence of one militant organization in these four districts.

Following the Assam government’s proposal, the union ministry of home affairs decided to uphold the existing “status quo” regarding the “disturbed area” classification for another six months.

Acting in accordance with the directive from the Centre, the Assam government has prolonged the implementation of the act until September 30, 2024.

Also read: Government extends AFSPA in eight districts of Nagaland for six months

Under AFSPA, security forces are empowered to conduct operations and make arrests without prior warrants, providing them with a certain level of legal immunity in case of unforeseen incidents during operations.

The AFSPA was most recently extended in Assam on October 1, 2023, for a period of six months, ending on March 31.

During the previous extension, AFSPA was lifted from Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam.

Earlier, the act was rescinded from the entire state of Assam, except for nine districts and a sub-division of Cachar district, effective from April 1, 2022.

Since November 1990, Assam has remained designated as a “disturbed area” under AFSPA, with periodic extensions of six months.