Assam aims to completely withdraw AFSPA by December 2023, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the state is aiming to completely withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA) from the state by the end of this year. CM Sarma tweeted, “We will also involve ex-servicemen to train our police force.” As part of the sequel to bring police modernization in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday attended the first conference of commandants at the Police Training Center in Dergaon.

“AFSPA will be withdrawn from the entire state by November. This will facilitate replacement of CAPFs by Assam Police battalions. However, the presence of CAPFs will be required as per law,” said one of the highlights of his speech at the conference. Delivering his introductory speech, Chief Minister Sarma said that in view of the important role played by the Commandant and the Assam Police Battalion, the Commandant; The conference will be held every six months.

The conference has been organized to help transform the Assam Police battalions into vibrant bodies capable of fulfilling their mandate. The Center last year removed the notification of disturbed areas under AFSPA from the entire state of Assam, but it was still in force in about nine districts and a sub-division of another district.

However, from April 1, 2023, the notification was withdrawn from one more district of the state, which meant that AFSPA was limited to only eight districts of Assam. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is an Act of the Parliament of India which gives special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. Once declared ‘disturbed’ as per the Disturbed Areas Act, 1976, the area has to maintain status quo for at least 3 months.