From February 27, the government of Assam will extended the disturbed area status for another six months under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
According to the official release, powers conferred under section 3 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, the Governor of Assam has declared the entire state of Assam as disturbed area up to six months beyond February 21, unless withdrawn earlier.
The release did not cite any particular reason for the extension, but it is said that it is in view of the assembly elections in April-May and recovery of arms and ammunitions from some parts of the state.
The AFSPA was imposed in Assam in November 1990 and has been extended every six months since then after a review by the state government.
In the North East, the AFSPA is in force in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur excluding Imphal Municipal Council Area, Changlang, Longding and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and areas falling within the jurisdiction of the eight police stations of districts in Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam.
Civil society groups and rights activists in the region have been demanding withdrawal of the alleged draconian law from the northeastern states where it has been imposed.