Armed Forces (Special Power) Act withdrawn from 23 districts

This move from PM has paved the way for a new chapter of peace and prosperity, says CM

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Government will withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act (AFSPA) from the state, baring nine districts and a subdivision from midnight today.

The nine districts and one subdivision where the AFSPA will continue are Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat and the Lakhipur subdivision of Cachar. The 23 other districts and one subdivision are outside the AFSPA ambit.

Disclosing this before the media today, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The Government of India's decision to reduce the disturbed areas in Nagaland, Manipur and Assam is a historic move. This move from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah has given the message that now Assam is conducive for investment. Now the state will witness robust development. The law-and-order situation in the state is a matter of the past. It is a Rongali Bihu gift to the people of Assam from the Prime Minister.

"This is not an abrupt decision taken under pressure from any quarter. We have been working relentlessly with the Centre to make this happen since 2014. For instance, the government signed the BTR Accord restoring peace in Bodoland. We have agreements with several militant organizations of Karbi Anglong. We have already given a positive signal to the ULFA for talks. The shrinkage of the AFSPA-promulgated area in the state is also a positive signal for talks."

The Chief Minister clarified why the government opted not to withdraw AFSPA from nine districts and one subdivision. He said, "The ULFA and some other organizations are still active in upper Assam. We are yet to reach any understanding with a few outfits in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts. Our efforts are going on, but we don't want to take the risk. We will withdraw the Act from the nine districts subject to the law-and-order situation.

"The Centre declared Assam as a disturbed area on November 27, 1990 night, under the AFSPA to combat insurgency. Since the promulgation of AFSPA, the government extended its term 61 times after an interval of every six months.

"The formation of the UCS (Unified Command Structure) for counterinsurgency followed the declaration of disturbed area. From tonight, the UCS will be a matter of past in the state, barring nine districts and one subdivision. The Army will remain on standby in the state for intelligence gathering, not for operations. I express grief for the extremists, paramilitary personnel and civilians who lost their lives during the thirty-year AFSPA regime in the state."

When asked if the AFSPA is a draconian law, the Chief Minister said, "Every law serves at a particular time. Had this law not been withdrawn after the restoration of peace, it could have been termed draconian."

The Chief Minister said, "This move from the Prime Minister has paved the way for starting a new chapter of peace and prosperity. The people of the state should grab this opportunity with both hands. I wholeheartedly welcome the Prime Minister and the Home Minister's decision to withdraw ASPSA from all areas of Assam, barring nine districts and one subdivision. It is a great move. Now around 60 per cent area of the state will be free from AFSPA's purview."

Also Read:  North East Students' Organization hails AFSPA withdrawal

Also Watch: