Guwahati: The Assam government has revoked West Karbi Anglong’s designation as a disturbed region under the contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) with effect from October 1.
Nevertheless, the government extended the AFSPA’s six-month duration to eight additional areas bordering Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
“Whereas, a review of the law and order and security scenario in Assam in the recent past indicates that the situation has considerably improved in West Karbi Anglong district of the state”
“…in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958…the Governor of Assam is pleased to withdraw the declaration of -Disturbed Area w.e.f. 01.10.2022 from West Karbi Anglong district of Assam,” stated the order of Assam Governor.
Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and one sub-division of Cachar district are the eight Assam districts where the AFSPA would continue to be in effect.
The Center totally repealed AFSPA in 23 districts of Assam and partially repealed it in another on April 1 of this year.
Assam was classified as a disturbed region when the state as a whole was placed under the AFSPA on November 27, 1990.
It has since been periodically extended.