Assam: Security forces against lifting of Afspa in state

GUWAHATI, June 9, 2018: With Assam been favored withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa) across the state, security agencies operating in the state seek continuation of the Act till the publication of remaining draft of National Register of Citizen (NRC) on June 30.

Recently Meghalaya had withdrawn Afspa and there is demand in Assam from various quarters to withdraw the Act saying insurgency is now at its lowest ebb in the state. Senior army officers who do not want to be named told ET, "We don't see the feasibility of continuation of Afspa after the publication of remaining draft NRC. After June 30, government may consider removing the same at least from the police districts. Insurgency is waning fast in Assam."

The Supreme Court-monitored partial first draft of NRC was published on December 31, 2017.

He added that lower Assam is almost militant-free. "A small group of militants under B Bidai is hiding in Bhutan. Some militants' outfits are active in Karbi-Anglong area of central Assam. In upper Assam, especially in the districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, which border Arunachal Pradesh remains to be a stronghold of anti-talk ULFA militants, led by commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah."

Additional director general of Assam Police (special branch) Pallab Bhattacharya told the media, "We to favour the continuation of Afspa till publication of NRC. We will review on this after the publication of NRC draft. Recently Meghalaya has withdrawn and nothing untoward has happened till now. We may need AFSPA till NRC draft publication for extremist elements may take advantage and try to create law and order problem."

Source: The Economic Times

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