Assam: AFSPA extended in 4 districts for 6 months
Guwahati: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended in four districts of Assam - Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo and Sivasagar - for a period of six months, with effect from October 1, 2024, or, unless withdrawn earlier.
A notification issued on Tuesday said the areas covering these four districts have been declared as “Disturbed Areas” for another six months in the wake of the recent disturbances in Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on the internal law and order situation.
The notification said that reports obtained from various agencies through the Assam police headquarters have indicated that due to sustained efforts and proactive counter-insurgency measures of the security forces, the overall scenario in Assam has significantly improved during the last few years and particularly during the last three years.
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It added that, however, due to the recent disturbances in Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on the internal law and order situation, the Assam government recommends that the AFSPA may be retained for another six months.
The notification said the Assam government had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in this regard and the MHA after due consideration decided to maintain the “status quo” regarding disturbed areas in Assam for a further period of six months.
The AFSPA grants special powers - to carry out operations anywhere and arrest any individual without warrant - to the Indian armed forces to maintain public order in the disturbed areas.