AFSPA Extension Announcement
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for an additional six months in the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar in Assam. This decision comes in light of concerns regarding the growing instability in neighboring Bangladesh, which the state government fears could negatively impact internal security.

Rationale Behind the Decision
A notification issued on Tuesday noted significant improvements in Assam’s security landscape in recent years, including a reduction in insurgency-related violence. However, concerns remain about potential spillover effects from unrest in Bangladesh. Intelligence reports prompted the Assam government to recommend the continuation of AFSPA in these four districts to ensure law and order are maintained.

Ministry of Home Affairs Agreement
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) agreed to the Assam government’s request, allowing these districts to remain designated as “disturbed areas” under AFSPA for another six months, effective from October 1, 2024. Initially imposed in Assam in November 1990, AFSPA grants armed forces the authority to conduct operations and make arrests without warrants in areas deemed “disturbed.”

Current Status of AFSPA in Assam
While AFSPA was lifted from several districts last year, including Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao, it remains in effect for the four districts mentioned above.