Security personnel patrolling a road in Assam while schoolboys seen walking along with their bicycles. (File photo)
New Delhi: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for six months in four districts of Assam due to recent disturbances in neighbouring Bangladesh. The four districts are Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar – all located in Upper Assam.
The extension, effective from October 1, 2024, was recommended by the Assam government and approved by the Union home ministry, the state notified on Tuesday.
The notification read: “Due to sustained efforts and proactive counterinsurgency measures of the security forces, the overall scenario in the state of Assam has significantly improved during the last few years and particularly during the last three years. However, due to the recent disturbances in the neighbouring country Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on internal law and order situation, the Government of Assam recommends that the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 may be retained for another 6 (six) months.”
The extension of the AFSPA comes despite significant improvements in Assam’s security situation over the past few years, including a reduction in insurgency-related violence. However, concerns remain about potential spillover effects from the unrest in Bangladesh.
The Assam government cited reports from various intelligence agencies and submitted a formal request to the Centre to maintain the AFSPA in these districts to prevent any deterioration in law and order.
It may be mentioned that AFSPA was recently extended in Manipur except in areas covering 19 police stations, as India Sentinels had reported. Those 19 areas are in the Imphal valley and a region bordering Assam.
The AFSPA grants special powers to the armed forces in “disturbed areas”, including the authority to arrest without a warrant, use force to search and arrest, and provide protection to persons acting in good faith under the act. The extension of the act in these four districts is seen as a precautionary measure to ensure internal security amid regional instability.
The decision to extend the AFSPA has been met with mixed reactions. While some view the statute as a necessary step to maintain law and order, others criticize it for alleged human rights violations and the potential for abuse of power by security forces.
Nonetheless, the Assam government has assured that the situation will be closely monitored, and a full assessment will be conducted in the coming months to determine if the act can be completely withdrawn from these districts.
