The Assam Government has extended the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in three districts of the state for six more months following a review of the law and order situation. The government, however, withdrew the…

The Assam Government has extended the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in three districts of the state for six more months following a review of the law and order situation. The government, however, withdrew the controversial law from Dibrugarh district as the situation “improved” there.

Home and Political Department Secretary Debaprasad Misra, in an order on Sunday, stated that the four districts were kept under the purview of AFSPA since October 8 last year after withdrawing the act from the rest of the state.

“Following the receipt of reports from various security agencies, it has been observed that the overall security situation in Assam has significantly improved, particularly over the last three-and-a-half years, due to the sustained efforts and proactive counter-insurgency measures by the Assam Police and security forces,” it added.

In light of these improvements, the Government of Assam believes that the “disturbed area” status under the AFSPA need not be extended in Dibrugarh district beyond March 31, 2025, the order stated.

“Despite these improvements, there have been sporadic incidents of IEDs being planted by ULFA (I), the only militant group active in the state, in various districts, alongside their involvement in kidnapping for ransom to fund their activities,” Misra said in the notification.