The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for six months in four Assam districts—Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar—due to concerns over recent disturbances in Bangladesh and their potential impact on internal law and order. The extension was detailed in a notification issued on Tuesday.
The Assam government cited reports from various agencies, which indicated that counter-insurgency efforts have significantly improved the security situation in the state over the past few years, particularly in the last three years. However, the recent unrest in neighboring Bangladesh is seen as a potential threat to stability, prompting the extension of AFSPA in these districts.
The notification stated, "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 Powers) Act, 1958 may be retained for another six months."
The AFSPA, which allows security forces to conduct operations and make arrests without warrants, has been gradually withdrawn from other areas of Assam. Last year, it was lifted in Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao, and earlier it was removed from additional parts of the state. Since October 2023, the four districts mentioned have been the only areas where the law remains in effect.
The act was first enforced in Assam in 1990 and has been extended every six months since. Civil society groups and human rights activists have long opposed AFSPA, calling for its repeal due to alleged human rights violations. The demand to withdraw the "draconian law" gained traction following the death of 14 civilians in a botched anti-insurgency operation in Mon district, Nagaland, in December 2021.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, after reviewing the Assam government's proposal, decided to maintain the status quo in these four districts from October 1, 2024. The notification emphasizes that the "disturbed area" designation under AFSPA is crucial for ensuring security operations in these regions.