Guwahati: Following the Centre’s decision to reduce area under AFSPA in three North-eastern stated Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that around 60 per cent of the state’s area will now be free from AFSPA’s purview.
Welcoming the Centre’s decision Sarma Twitted, “ “I whole-heartedly welcome the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw AFSPA from all areas of Assam barring nine districts and one sub-division. I also convey our deep gratitude to HM Shah for this bold decision. Now around 60 per cent of the State’s area will be free from AFSPA’s purview.”
Earlier today, Union home minister Amit Shah informed that the Centre has decided to reduce disturbed areas under the AFSPA in the states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades.
Announcing the decision, Shah said that the reduction in areas under AFSPA is a result of the “improved security situation and fast-tracked development due to the consistent efforts and several agreements to end insurgency and bring lasting peace in Northeast by PM Narendra Modi”.
“Our Northeastern region, which was neglected for decades, is now witnessing a new era of peace, prosperity and unprecedented development,” he said.
The act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any warrant. The act also gives a certain level of immunity to the security forces in case of an operation going wrong.