The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been renewed for six months in four districts of Assam due to concerns over unrest in neighboring Bangladesh and its potential impact on local security.
Guwahati:The Government of Assam has decided to extend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for an additional six months in four districts—Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar—citing worries about disturbances in neighboring Bangladesh and their possible repercussions on the state’s internal security. This extension, effective from October 1, 2024, follows an official notification issued by the state government on Tuesday.AFSPA allows security forces significant powers in designated “disturbed areas,” enabling them to conduct operations and make arrests without warrants, while also providing legal immunity in the event of operational incidents. Despite an overall improvement in the security situation in Assam due to effective counter-insurgency strategies, recent events in Bangladesh have raised alarms, prompting the state to recommend the continuation of AFSPA.The notification referred to reports from various security agencies that highlighted the potential negative impact of Bangladesh’s unrest on law and order in Assam. This led the Assam government to conclude that maintaining the “disturbed area” designation in these four districts was necessary.Since October of the previous year, these districts have remained the only areas in Assam under AFSPA, as the act has been gradually withdrawn from other regions. In 2023, for example, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao were exempted from the act following previous withdrawals.First introduced in Assam in 1990, AFSPA has been extended biannually for over thirty years. The act has drawn criticism from various civil society organizations and human rights advocates, who label it a “draconian law” due to allegations of human rights violations. Nevertheless, the government maintains that the act is essential for bolstering counter-insurgency operations and ensuring state security.The recent extension reflects the government’s cautious stance amid shifting regional dynamics, emphasizing a need to balance the achievements made in restoring peace while remaining vigilant against emerging cross-border threats. As the situation evolves, the debate over the act’s necessity and implications for civil liberties continues.
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