Assam Extends 'Disturbed Area' Status Under AFSPA For Another Six Month

Guwahati: In a recent development, the government of Assam has declared the entire state as a disturbed area under AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) for the upcoming six months.

The Assam took the major decision for the extension of the already existing status of 'disturbed area' on Monday 28 February.

This another six-month period of 'disturbed area' status for the state will be effective from Monday 28 February 2022 as informed through an official statement.

In the statement issued by the state government, it was informed that the Assam government has declared the state as a 'Disturbed Area' up to 6 months after reviewing the law and order situation prevailing in the state in the past 6 months.

The statement added Assam comes under 'disturbed area' with effect from 28.02.2022 unless withdrawn earlier.

It also added that the following declaration has been made according to the powers conferred under the third section of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958.

However, the statement did not mention about any specific reason explaining the extension of the state's status as a 'disturbed area.'

It may be mentioned that several civil society groups and activists in the Northeast have been demanding the withdrawal of the AFSPA from the region for a long time.

Last year the incident in Nagaland which led to the death of innocent civilians has brought massive demands against the draconian law.

In November 1990, the act came into force in Assam because of extreme insurgency operations in the state that resulted in a huge number of killings. Extortion and kidnapping were also practiced widely at that time and the security forces initiated operations to neutralize rebel groups.

Currently, AFSPA is in force in the northeastern regions of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. In Arunachal Pradesh, it is effective in three districts including Tirap, Chnaglang and Longding.

The act is also in force in the regions falling within the jurisdiction of the 8 police stations of Arunachal Pradesh districts bordering the state of Assam.

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