AFSPA extended for six more months in three districts of Assam
AFSPA extended for six more months in three districts of Assam
DD TIMES Guwahati, Sep 28: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA has been extended for a period of six months in three districts of Assam. The three districts are- Tinsukia, Charaideo and Sivasagar.
According to an official notification issued on Saturday, these orders will be effective from October 1.
“The State Government had recommended to the Centre that the ‘Disturbed Area’ status under AFSPA will be extended in Tinsukia, Charaideo and Sivasagar districts for an additional period of six months”, read a notification issued by the state’s Political (A) Department.
It further stated that, the extension was granted after the Union Home Ministry agreed with the state governments proposal to retain the AFSPA status in the three districts.
Despite the improvements in the law and order situation in the State, these three districts have been contributing to the rise in law and order situation in the districts by suspected ULFA (I) cadres, along with the movement of NSCN (K-YA) cadres, mainly for the purpose of extortion, illegal activities and recruitment purposes.
What is AFSPA?
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA is a law that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in areas declared as “disturbed” due to insurgency, terrorism or other security concerns.
The Act was passed by the parliament on September 11, 1958 and came into effect immeiately. AFSPA was first enacted in 1958 to deal with the Naga insurgency in Assam and other parts of North- East India.
