Controversial Law AFSPA To Continue In Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Sarma
NDTV
Himanta Sarma's remarks come on a day when the Nagaland Assembly passed a unanimous resolution seeking a repeal of the controversial law in the northeast and especially in Nagaland.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 will continue in Assam for now and the state will review it if the law-and-order situation remains peaceful, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today. His remarks come on a day when the Nagaland Assembly passed a unanimous resolution seeking a repeal of the controversial law in the northeast and especially in Nagaland.
"Withdraw AFSPA can't be a call of the state government. It depends on the overall situation of law and order in the state," he said.
"Suppose I withdraw (AFSPA). Will that be reciprocated by the militant groups? In that way, the Army won't be able to do any operations, thereby inviting chaos. AFSPA's withdrawal should be linked with the peace and stability of the state," the Chief Minister reasoned.
"Recently Arunachal Pradesh has withdrawn AFSPA from several parts of the state, in consultation with the Ministry of Home affairs. We are of the opinion that if the peaceful situation continues, we can take a call on whether we need AFSPA in entire Assam or just in some places at a later stage," he added.
