AFSPA extended in Assam for another 6 months

Guwahati: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Assam has been extended for six more months with effect from August 28, government officials said on Tuesday (August 25).

As per an official statement, the state has been declared a "disturbed area" on account of recent insurgent attacks on security forces in the Northeast and recovery of illegal arms and ammunition from different areas of Assam.

This development has come to the fore amid a rising clamour for the withdrawal of the 'draconian' law from the state by civil society groups and activists.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone anywhere without prior notice. It has been in force in the State of Assam since November 1990. The AFSPA is renewed every 6 months.

In the Northeastern Indian region, the 'draconian' AFSPA is in force in the States of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (excluding Imphal Municipal Council Area), Changlang, Longding and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and areas falling within the jurisdiction of the eight police stations of districts in Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam.

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