The Assam government had last extended the 'disturbed area' notification under the AFSPA for another six months with effect from April 1 in these eight districts.
Manipur unrest: An approval was sought to declare the entire Manipur as 'Disturbed Area' for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2023. The state in the recent days again witnessed unrest following photos of the bodies of the two missing youths went viral on social media.
The government has issued two separate notifications, the decisions have been taken after a review of the law-and-order situation in both states.
The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 gives armed forces personnel, operating in disturbed areas, sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary for "the maintenance of public order".
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, said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
AFSPA extension in Assam: The 'disturbed area' tag will, however, be lifted from Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar district from April 1, following a review of the law and order and security scenario in the state.
Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been facing criticism as several human rights activists demand the law to be scrapped.
Speaking on the flood situation in the state, Amit Shah while addressing a rally said, "Give us five more years, flood in Assam will be history."
AFSPA news: The government of India has also extended AFSPA in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of 16 police stations in four districts of Nagaland including five police stations in Kohima district etc.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a three-day Assam visit, to attend Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government's first anniversary celebrations, and travel to the India-Bangladesh border.
"India has been successful in giving out the message that terrorism will be strongly dealt with. We will not hesitate to cross borders if the country is targeted from outside," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated.
The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives immunity to the forces if they shoot someone dead.
The Centre's decision to extend AFSPA in Nagaland by six months came days after the government constituted a high-level committee to examine the possibility of the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
"The Govt of Assam in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 has declared the entire state of Assam as 'Disturbed Area' up to 6 months with effect from 28-08-2021 unless withdrawn earlier," the statement said.
The Centre on Monday declared the whole of Nagaland as a "disturbed" area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for a further period of six months. A gazette notification said the Centre was of the opinion that the area comprising whole of Nagaland is in such a disturbed condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been in force in Nagaland for several decades.
Withdrawal of the AFSPA will surely create a new perception of the prevailing security situation in Assam as the army would then be relieved from counter-insurgency operations in the state after 29 consecutive years.
The ruling party has slammed Congress's poll manifesto as "dangerous and unimplementable". It has alleged that the promises made by the Congress on repealing and reviewing certain laws related to national security was akin to an agenda of India's "Balkanisation".
After 32 years, the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which gives sweeping powers to security forces, was partially removed from three of nine districts of Arunachal Pradesh but would remain in force in the areas bordering Myanmar, officials said here.
In a notification, the Home Ministry said the central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civilian power is necessary.
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