Himanta Sarma speaks to Amit Shah to repeal controversial law AFSPA in Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the roadmap for complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the roadmap for complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the state.

Sarma said his government will take further steps based on the suggestions of the home minister.

"I met Hon’ble Union Home Minister @AmitShah ji at his residence today to discuss the roadmap for the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Assam. The Government of Assam will take further steps based on the suggestions of Hon'ble Home Minister," he wrote on microblogging site X.

The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 gives armed forces personnel, operating in disturbed areas, sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary for "the maintenance of public order".

An area or district is notified as a disturbed area under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces. The disturbed area tag, imposed under the AFSPA, was removed from the entire state of Assam, except nine districts and one subdivision of one district, from April 1, 2022. Now, it has been limited to only eight districts in the northeastern state.

It is applicable now in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.

Hoisting the tricolour on the 77th Independence Day in Guwahati last month, the chief minister said his government would take necessary steps to withdraw AFSPA from the entire state by the end of this year.