afspa-retained-in-four-upper-assam-districts

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in four upper Assam districts for a further period of six months, effective from April 1, 2024.

 

The Act, which grants special powers to security forces in "disturbed areas," will remain in effect in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, and Charaideo districts.

 

This decision comes after a request from the Assam government citing the continued presence of a militant outfit in these regions.

 

Earlier, the Assam Police had submitted a report acknowledging an improvement in the overall law and order situation across the state.

 

However, they expressed concerns regarding ongoing militant activity in the aforementioned districts. Consequently, the MHA deemed it necessary to maintain the "disturbed area" status in these regions for the time being.

 

The AFSPA has been a contentious issue in Assam, with critics arguing that it gives excessive power to security forces and undermines civil liberties