The call on the extension of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa) in Assam may be taken soon. The state government has been “advised to rationalise its use” for another six months after February 28, official sources told ET. The order may be issued after the Manipur elections on March 5, they added. There is a growing clamour among the North Eastern states, including Manipur, for withdrawal of Afspa following the killing in Nagaland where 14 civilians were gunned down by security forces in a botched up operation last year.
A senior government official told ET, “The Assam government has been advised to rationalise the use of Afspa. A final decision will be taken by them in consultation with the security forces. The state shares an international border with Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan where Indian insurgent groups have been taking shelter.”
In January this year, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma too promised “some positive development” on Afspa, when it is up for review in February end.
The Afspa was imposed in Assam in November 1990 and is extended every six months after a review by the state government under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. The orders for the last extension were issued in September 2021 but were effective from August 28, 2021. The state witnessed one of the lowest insurgency incidents since 1999 with 15 incidents in 2020 and 21 in 2021, as per MHA’s data.
In its September order, the state government cited threats from ULFA (I) and noted, “the emergence of Islamic terrorist groups like HUM, JMB and HM (Hizbul Mujahideen) in Assam also poses threats to the security scenario. The issues that Assam is facing cannot be viewed in isolation as Assam shares international boundary with Bangladesh and is surrounded by other countries like Peoples’ Republic of China, Myanmar and Bhutan.”
Besides Assam, Afspa is in force in Nagaland, Manipur (excluding Imphal Municipal Council Area), Changlang, Longding and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and areas falling within the jurisdiction of two police stations in Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam. The Afspa empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. In 2005, the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee had recommended repeal of Afspa and suggested amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 by inserting a new Chapter with respect to the North Eastern states.
“The crackdown by the Bangladesh government against the leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam has resulted in the influx of fugitive activists into Assam. The recent communal tension during the Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh is believed to be the handiwork of Hefazat. A careful watch needs to be mounted on the activities of Paresh Baruah led ULFA (I) and other insurgent groups before diluting Afspa in the region,” said a senior official on the condition of anonymity.
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