GUWAHATI, Feb 20: The Australian government has lifted its travel advisory for Assam, allowing its citizens to visit most parts of the state. However, four districts remain off-limits due to the enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), as confirmed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday.
The Australian government revised its guidelines after reviewing the situation in Assam, permitting travel across all districts except for Tinsukia, Charaideo, Dibrugarh, and Sibsagar, where AFSPA remains in force. “Tourists from Australia can now come to all parts of the state barring where the AFSPA is in force. The Australian High Commission has assured us that if AFSPA is withdrawn from these four districts, they will further lift the restrictions from the entire state,” Sarma stated during a press conference.
The travel advisory was initially issued by both Australia and Germany due to concerns over law and order in the state. While Australia has now lifted its restrictions, Sarma expressed hope that Germany would soon follow suit in revising its advisory.
