AFSPA withdrawn from 4 districts in Assam, extended in other four

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• Oct 1, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Starting from Sunday, October 1, 2023, the districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, and Charaideo in Upper Assam will continue to be notified as...

Digital Desk: In a significant development, the areas designated as "disturbed areas" under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) have been further reduced in Assam, with the notification now applicable to only four districts in the state. Assam Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh made the announcement today during an event marking Assam Police Day in Guwahati.

Starting from Sunday, October 1, 2023, the districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, and Charaideo in Upper Assam will continue to be notified as "disturbed areas." These districts have reportedly been considered strongholds of the militant group ULFA.

The "disturbed areas" notification, which grants special powers to the armed forces, is applicable for a period of six months and can be extended by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) upon review. The previous extension of this notification in these eight districts occurred on April 1.

Previously, in addition to the four districts mentioned above, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao were also designated as "disturbed areas."

Until last year, the entire state of Assam had been under the "disturbed areas" notification since 1990. However, in a move aimed at reducing the scope of AFSPA, the central government removed this notification from the entire state, except for nine districts and one sub-division of another district. In March of this year, AFSPA was further withdrawn from one more district. 

The Assam government had recently recommended to the Centre that the "disturbed areas" notification be lifted from all eight remaining districts, citing "significant improvement in the security situation of the state and subsequent accelerated development."

AFSPA grants the armed forces the authority to use force, including deadly force, against individuals violating the law or orders if they deem it necessary. Additionally, the Act stipulates that prosecution of individuals acting under its provisions requires the sanction of the Central Government.

The reduction of the "disturbed areas" notification in Assam reflects ongoing efforts to balance security concerns with the desire to restore normalcy and civil liberties in the region.