Guwahati, 9th October: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Indian Army has formally requested the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state. Sarma stated that the Army’s assessment indicates that Assam is now considered entirely safe, which could pave the way for the potential removal of this controversial legislation.
“We recommended to withdraw and remove the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from 8 districts, and the Indian government withdrew it from 4 districts, namely Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, and Jorhat,” Chief Minister Sarma revealed. He further explained that in the remaining four districts – Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, and Charaideo – the government of India will conduct further assessments over the next six months, with the ultimate goal of complete Army withdrawal.
Sarma clarified that the Central government had advised a phased approach, which Assam had diligently followed. However, the Central government expressed its intent to maintain its presence in these four districts.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Statue of the Legendary General Lachit Barphukan and the Shaheed Smarak at Narengi Military Station in Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the significance of commemorating the heroism of Bir Lachit Borphukan. He remarked that the statue and memorial would serve as sources of inspiration for the younger generation and conveyed his gratitude to the martyrs of the Indian defense forces.
Lachit Borphukan, renowned for his bravery, played a pivotal role in resisting Mughal incursions into Assam during the 17th century. Chief Minister Sarma acknowledged that while figures like Chatrapati Shivaji and Rana Phukan are well-known, Lachit Borphukan’s contributions were not as widely recognized until recently. He expressed his satisfaction that people across the country have started inquiring about and appreciating the legacy of Lachit Borphukan.
To promote awareness about Lachit Borphukan, the Assam government plans to translate and publish a book on his life and accomplishments, authored by renowned writer Arup Dutta, in multiple languages. The book’s launch will take place in all state capitals, and efforts will be made to make it accessible in college libraries nationwide.
Furthermore, a grand statue is set to be erected at the site of Lachit Borphukan’s cremation, with its inauguration scheduled for February 2024, to be carried out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Sarma also expressed his desire to stage a drama about Lachit Borphukan, featuring Assamese artists, to further propagate his legacy and contributions to the nation’s history.