Digital Desk: The Assam government has declared the entire state as a “disturbed area” for the next six months under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
On Monday (February 28), the Assam government decided to extend the already existing status of ‘disturbed area’ in the state.
According to an official declaration, the state will be designated as a “disturbed area” for another six months, effective from February 28, 2022.
According to a statement released by the state government, the Assam government has designated the state a “Disturbed Area” for the next six months after examining the law and order situation in the state over the last six months.
“Assam will be classified as a “disturbed area” beginning February 28, 2022, unless it is removed earlier.” the statement added.
It further stated that the following declaration was issued in accordance with the power granted under the third section of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act of 1958. However, the statement didn’t mention the reason for its extension of the state’s status.
Notably, various civil society organizations and activists in the Northeast have been demanding the withdrawal of AFSPA from the region.
Last year, an incident in Nagaland that resulted in the deaths of innocent villagers sparked widespread opposition demands against the draconian law.
The legislation was enacted in Assam in November 1990 in response to the state’s intense insurgent activities, which resulted in many deaths. At the time, extortion and kidnapping were commonplace, and security authorities launched operations to destroy insurgent organizations.
AFSPA is currently in force in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh in the Northeast. In Arunachal Pradesh, it is operational in three districts: Tirap, Chnaglang, and Longding.
Moreover, the status is also in effect in the areas under the authority of the eight police stations in Arunachal Pradesh districts that border Assam.
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