The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which gives immunity to the security forces, has been withdrawn in the Karbi Anglong district by the Assam government but has been extended in eight other districts and one sub-division for six months.
According to a statement from Niraj Verma, senior secretary of the home and political department, the order, which became effective on October 1, was the result of an assessment of the state’s law and order.
According to a PTI report, the law was withdrawn from West Karbi Anglong district in view of the “improved” situation there.
Along with the Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar in the Barak Valley, the following districts continue to be categorised as disturbed areas: Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao.
The order, dated October 15 and published on Thursday, indicated that after lifting the AFSPA from the remainder of the state, nine districts and one subdivision were kept under the law as “disturbed areas” as of April 1.
The Northeastern State passed the Act in November 1990, and it has since been renewed every six months.
According to the legislation, security officers may conduct operations anywhere and make arrests without a warrant.
A botched anti-insurgency operation that resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians and subsequent violence in Nagaland’s Mon district on December 4, 2021, sparked protests last year calling for the repeal of the Act.
