Assam to end AFSPA by the end of this year
Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, declared that his administration would take the necessary steps to overthrow the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from the entire state by this year-end. Presently, the AFSPA is in effect in eight districts of Assam, according to Sarma’s statement.
In his address on the 77th Independence Day, Sarma highlighted that over the past three years, approximately 8,000 individuals who were part of revolutionary movements have successfully reintegrated into mainstream society. He assures the people of Assam that the planned withdrawal of AFSPA from all districts by the end of the year would mark a significant historical milestone for the state.
The AFSPA was introduced in Assam in November 1990, and has been periodically renewed through state government assessments. This acts grants security forces the authority to carry out operations and arrests without prior warrants. It also offers a degree of legal protection in the event of operational mishaps.
The AFSPA has been in effect for more than three decades and its extension had been recommended 62 times since its initial implementation. With the signing of four peace accords in the last three years, the state of Assam has now achieved freedom from terrorism. The Assam government recently extended the ‘disturbed area’ classification under the AFSPA for an additional six months, specifically in eight districts: Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Sivasagar, and Jorhat.
This decision is important because the AFSPA law gave special powers to the army, allowing them to do things without asking for permission. Withdrawing this law shows that Assam wants to have better relationships between the police and the public. It will also make things more peace and fair. The government has been working hard for the past few years to stop terrorism and make peace deals, and this is another step in that direction.
Before this, the AFSPA law was in place for a long time, and it was used many times. But now, with Assam becoming safer and more peaceful, the government is planning to remove this law from all parts of the state. This is a positive move towards making the state a better and safer place for everyone.
