Guwahati, Oct 9:   The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended for an additional six months in four districts of Assam due to “recent disturbances” in neighboring Bangladesh, according to a notification issued by the state government on Tuesday. The districts affected are Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar, which will continue to be classified as “disturbed areas” under the Act.

The Assam government highlighted that, while the overall security situation in Assam has improved significantly over the past few years—especially in the last three years—recent unrest in Bangladesh poses potential risks to internal law and order. The notification stated, “Due to sustained efforts and proactive counter-insurgency measures of the Security Forces, the overall scenario in the State of Assam has significantly improved. However, due to the recent disturbances in the neighbouring country Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on the internal law and order situation, the Government of Assam recommends that AFSPA be retained for another six months.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs reviewed the proposal to extend AFSPA and decided to maintain the “status quo” in these four districts effective October 1, 2024. AFSPA had been previously implemented in these areas since October 2023 after it was gradually lifted from other regions of Assam. Notably, AFSPA was revoked in the districts of Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao last year.

In a broader context, last month the Indian government also extended AFSPA for six months in eight districts of Nagaland, three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and Hills districts of Manipur following a review of the law and order situation in these northeastern states.