The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for six months in four districts of Assam due to "recent disturbances" in neighbouring Bangladesh, which are believed to pose a risk to the law and order situation in the state. This decision communicated through an official notification on Tuesday, applies to the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar.
The notification highlights that despite significant improvements in the overall security scenario in Assam—thanks to proactive counter-insurgency efforts—the government is compelled to maintain the AFSPA in these regions due to the potential implications of unrest across the border. The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the recommendation from the Assam government, allowing the law to remain in effect from October 1.
AFSPA, originally imposed in Assam in November 1990, allows security forces to conduct operations and arrest individuals without prior warrants in designated "disturbed" areas. This act has been a subject of intense debate and criticism from civil society groups and human rights activists, who argue that it infringes on civil liberties and has led to numerous human rights violations.
The law has been gradually withdrawn from various parts of Assam in recent years, with Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao having seen its removal. However, the four districts currently under AFSPA have remained designated as "disturbed areas" since last October.
Activists and organizations have renewed calls for the repeal of AFSPA following tragic incidents, including the December 2021 firing that killed 14 civilians in Nagaland during a botched anti-insurgency operation. They argue that the continued application of the act fosters an environment of fear and oppression.
(PTI inputs)
