Extension of AFSPA In Assam’s 4 Districts For 6 Months for Bangladesh Disturbance

Guwahati: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA was extended in four districts of Assam for six months, according to a notification issued on Tuesday. This decision was taken keeping in view the “recent disturbances” in Bangladesh and its negative impact on the internal law and order situation in Assam.

The Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo and Sivasagar districts will remain “disturbed area” under the AFSPA.

“However, due to the recent disturbances in the neighbouring country Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on internal law and order situation, the Government of Assam recommends that the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 may be retained for another 6 (six) months,” the notification said.

Under the AFSPA, an area is declared “disturbed” for the convenience of security forces.

The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which after due consideration decided to maintain the “status quo” regarding disturbed areas in the state for a further period of six months from October 1, the notification said.

The four districts have been the only areas under AFSPA in the state since October 2023, while it was withdrawn from other parts. It was withdrawn from Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in 2023. The AFSPA was removed from other areas earlier.

The AFSPA was first imposed in Assam in November 1990 and has been extended every six months since then.

The Act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives a certain level of immunity to the security forces in case of an operation going wrong.