Centre Puts on Hold Assam Rifles Notification Till Further Order

GUWAHATI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) notification giving CrPC powers, including arresting anyone and searching any place without warrants, to the Assam Rifles in five States in the Northeast rocked the Assam Assembly on Friday. The Opposition had to stage a walkout.

However, later in the day, the Government at the Centre put on hold the notification till further order. The five States where the Centre issued such notification are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram.

The Opposition in the Assam Assembly said that the move will violate people’s rights to living and moving freely. The situation came to such a pass that the matter had to be discussed in the Assembly after the Question Hour, leaving other business of the day aside. The Congress and AGP MLA Pabindra Deka moved adjournment motions separately for a detailed discussion on the issue. However, when the Speaker did not allow the adjournment motion, the Congress and the AIUDF had to stage walkouts.

Moving the adjournment motion, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia said: “If the Assam Rifles is given such powers, it will be an undeclared emergency in the Northeast. The freedom of living and free movement will be grossly violated. Giving the Assam Rifles such powers at a time when various quarters in the region have been demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) will only make peace a distant dream in the Northeast. This apart, the human rights adherence record of the Assam Rifles is not that good. Dispur should oppose this move.”

Moving another adjournment motion, Pabindra Deka of the AGP said: “Such rights to the Assam Rifles will lead to the violation of fundamental rights of the people of Assam and the Northeast. It will also remind the people of Assam the Assam Agitation days when people had to hide in bunkers. Does the Centre want to bring back those days in Assam?”

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam also supported the motion.

In his reply, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said: “It’s a central subject. We’re ready to discuss this issue, but in different devises. However, we should send a message to the Centre that the Assam Assembly is against terrorism in any form.”

The Speaker then said: “It’s a decision taken by the Central Government. The State Assembly can’t discuss any decision taken by the Centre. I, therefore, disallow the motion.” The Speaker’s pronouncement made the Congress and the AIUDF stage stormy walkouts.

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