GUWAHATI: Assam Police on Sunday announced the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months in four districts of the state.
Speaking at the Assam Police Day 2023 celebrations, GP Singh, Director General of Police said Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, and Charaideo, will remain under AFSPA enforcement in the state.
The AFSPA has been lifted from Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao districts, Singh said.
“Assam has reached a peaceful stage after passing through a volatile phase during the last 30-40 years. Due to the hard work of Assam Police, Army and para military forces, we have this peaceful atmosphere. I thank all of them,” the DGP said.
The police chief particularly acknowledged the contributions of lower-ranked personnel, such as constables, who played a pivotal role in achieving this peaceful atmosphere.
“I would like to say that we cannot forget the contributions of the home guards and VDP (village defence party). We have around 25,000 VDPs and 10,000 home guards,” Singh added.
Earlier, on September 9, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced the cabinet’s approval of the recommendation to withdraw the “disturbed area” tag under AFSPA from the remaining eight districts.
The development was following a meeting which Chief Minister Sarma had with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on September 5.
AFSPA was first imposed in Assam in November 1990 and has been extended every six months following reviews by the state government.
