Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that due to the efforts of the Centre and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, most of the militant outfits have entered into peace agreements
Union Home Minister Amit Shah says he is confident AFSPA will soon be revoked from entire Assam – Twitter/@AmitShah
Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday exuded confidence that AFSPA will soon be revoked from entire Assam, as improved law and order and peace accords with militant outfits has already led to its partial withdrawal in the state.
Shah, after presenting the President’s Colour to the Assam Police in Guwahati, said in his address that due to the efforts of the Centre and Chief Minister Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, most of the militant outfits have entered into peace agreements and the day is not far when the entire state will be completely free from insurgency and violence.
“The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been revoked from 23 districts, and partially from one district. I am confident that it will be completely withdrawn from the entire state soon,” Shah said.
The home minister said those who have surrendered and returned to the mainstream are being rehabilitated by both the central and state governments.
“The Assam Police has a glorious history and has successfully tackled insurgency, border issues, smuggling of arms, drugs and cattle, rhino poaching and social issues like witchcraft to emerge as one of the foremost police forces of the country,” Shah said.
“It rightly deserves to be honoured with the President’s Colour,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shah, who is on a two-day visit to the northeastern state, awarded the Assam Police with the President’s Colour in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta at the ‘Alankaran Parade’ ceremony in Guwahati.
The flag is engraved with Assam’s map and 36 stars representing the districts of the state, a one-horned rhino and the insignia of Assam Police with its motto.
Assam is the 10th state in the country to receive the President’s Colour, the highest honour given to any military or police unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the nation, both in peace and war.
Shah also planted a sapling here on Tuesday morning, marking the first year of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government.
The home minister will also be addressing a public rally in Guwahati later On Tuesday on the occasion of the completion of the state government’s first year.
What if AFSPA?
AFSPA or Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. It gives the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more people in an area, can use force or even open fire after giving due warning if they feel an individual is in contravention of the law. If reasonable suspicion prevails then the army can arrest a person without a warrant; enter or search a premises without a warrant; and ban the possession of firearms.
The AFSPA came into effect in the context of increasing violence in the Northeastern States several years ago, which the State governments found difficult to control. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and it was approved by the President on 11 September, 1958.
With inputs from PTI
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