Aiming to withdraw AFSPA completely by end of 2023: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

CM Sarma also said that the Assam government is also planning to rope in ex-military personnel to train the state police force

Assam government is working towards lifting the controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act,
(AFSPA) completely from Assam by November 2023, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today at the conference of the commandants at the Police Training Centre in Dergaon.

CM Sarma also said that the Assam government is also planning to rope in ex-military personnel to train the state police force.

“We are aiming at withdrawing AFSPA completely from Assam by the end of 2023. We will also rope in ex-military personnel to train our police force,” tweeted CM Sarma.

The AFSPA gives special powers to the security forces like it allows arrest of a person by the security forces without a warrant, enter or search premises without a warrant, and perform other actions for “maintenance of public order”.

The Centre had earlier decided to reduce the “disturbed areas” listed under the AFSPA in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam.

The disturbed area notification has been in place in Assam since 1990.

According to officials, the disturbed area tag, imposed under the AFSPA, was withdrawn from most parts of Assam barring nine districts and one sub-division of one district, as of April 1, 2022, as a result of the significant improvement in the security situation in the state. Now, it is limited to only eight districts in Assam.

Also Read: Assam, Meghalaya CMs for faster, amicable resolution to inter-state border issue

COMMENTS