Extension of AFSPA in Assam
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for another six months in the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar in Assam. This decision follows concerns that recent instability in neighboring Bangladesh could affect internal security in Assam.
Security Improvements and Ongoing Concerns
While the security situation in Assam has improved significantly in recent years, with a notable reduction in insurgency-related violence, concerns about potential spillover effects from the unrest in Bangladesh remain. Intelligence reports prompted the Assam government to request the continued application of AFSPA in these four districts.
Government’s Request and Ministry Approval
The Assam government formally requested that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) retain AFSPA in these areas. The MHA agreed to the request, ensuring that these districts will remain classified as “disturbed areas” under the Act for another six months, starting from October 1, 2024.
AFSPA’s Role and Historical Context
AFSPA, first imposed in Assam in November 1990, grants the armed forces the authority to conduct operations and arrest individuals without warrants in areas designated as “disturbed.” Although the Act was lifted from several districts, including Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao, the four districts in question remain under its jurisdiction.
