Guwahati, September 12, 2021 (PPI-OT):The BJP-led government in Assam has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the state for six more months beyond August 28, an official statement said. The official in his statement said, “The Government of Assam in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 has declared the entire state of Assam as ‘Disturbed Area’ up to six months with effect from August 28, 2021 unless withdrawn earlier.”
According to an official in the state Home Department, the Act, which gives special powers to the Army and the paramilitary forces, was imposed in Assam in November 1990 and has been extended every six months since then after a review by the state’s law-enforcing agencies.
The AFSPA, which allows the Army and other paramilitary forces to conduct raids, and arrest anyone anywhere without prior notice or arrest warrant, has also been in force in entire Nagaland, certain districts of Arunachal Pradesh and most parts of Manipur barring the Imphal municipal areas. Terming the AFSPA as a draconian law, human rights activist, Irom Chanu Sharmila of Manipur had fought for 16 long years till mid-2016, demanding its repeal.
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