AFSPA likely to be lifted completely from Assam by year end, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

The Chief Minister, who was speaking at the first Commandant’s Conference at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, said, “We are aiming at withdrawing AFSPA completely from Assam by the end of 2023. We will also rope in military personnel to train our police force.”

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated on May 22 that Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was likely to be lifted completely from the State by the year end as the law and order situation had improved considerably.

Mr. Sarma also said retired Army personnel would be appointed as Additional Superintendents of Police to impart training to the police force in Assam.

Also read: After 2022, AFSPA further reduced in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland due to improved security situation: Amit Shah

The Chief Minister, who was speaking at the first Commandant's Conference at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, said, "We are aiming at withdrawing AFSPA completely from Assam by the end of 2023. We will also rope in military personnel to train our police force."

He also said, "This will facilitate replacement of Central police with Assam police battalions."

The AFSPA, which gives armed forces the right to arrest and search without warrants as well as use force without a magistrate's permission, has been lifted from most Assam districts except eight districts and one sub-division.

Mr. Sarma said that attention would be given to ensure that the personnel belonging to different battalions were not used for any purpose other than those exclusively connected to bona fide policing.