AFSPA Extension in Assam: Three Districts Remain Under Armed Forces Special Powers Act for Additional Six Months

Security forces are empowered by AFSPA to conduct operations anywhere and arrest individuals without prior warrants.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, commonly known as AFSPA, has been extended for an additional six months in three districts of Assam starting from October 1, according to a notification issued on Saturday.

As per the notification released by the state's Political (A) Department, the Assam government had recommended to the Central government that the 'Disturbed Area' status under AFSPA be continued in Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Sivasagar districts for six more months.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs concurred with the state government's assessment and approved the extension in these three districts.

The state government noted that the law and order situation in Assam, particularly regarding extremist-related violence, has shown significant improvement due to "sustained efforts and proactive counterinsurgency measures of security forces."

Despite these positive developments, the notification mentioned that there have been occasional incidents of violence attributed to suspected ULFA(I) cadres, currently the only active militant group in the state. Additionally, there has been movement of NSCN(K-YA) cadres, primarily for extortion, subversive activities, and recruitment of youth within these three districts.

On April 1, 2022, AFSPA was withdrawn from most parts of Assam, except for nine districts and one sub-division of Cachar district. Subsequently, the act was gradually removed from six districts in phases.

Assam was originally declared a 'Disturbed Area' under AFSPA on the night between November 27-28, 1990. Since then, the application of this law has been extended every six months following a review by the state government, with reports being sent to the Union Home Ministry for consideration.

The act grants security forces authority to conduct operations in any location and arrest individuals without obtaining prior warrants. It also provides certain immunity to security forces if an operation does not proceed as planned.

Civil society organizations, human rights activists, and several political parties have been advocating for the complete withdrawal of AFSPA from the entire Northeast region, claiming that armed forces have violated human rights under the protection of this law.