Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that “some positive development” in the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) may be expected this year in the state where militancy is on the decline.
Sarma, a prominent BJP North East official, predicted that “some favourable developments” in the Act will occur shortly in neighbouring Nagaland, where it is already in force.
With militancy declining, the Army has essentially departed from Assam, with the exception of five or six districts, and when the AFSPA expires in four months, the state administration will make a “pragmatic decision,” he said.
Because of the unique powers it affords the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas,” AFSPA has been dubbed “draconian” by political parties in the north east, and its repeal has been requested by civil society organisations and rights advocates.
It was enforced in Assam in November 1990, and the state administration has prolonged it every six months since then after a review.
“In terms of AFSPA, Assam would see some rationalisation in 2022… We don’t know how or when this will happen. But I am an optimistic individual. We see 2022 as a year of possibility. There will be certain bright spots in the Act’s implementation “Sarma told reporters in this city.
He claimed the Centre has already created a committee to look into the continuation of AFSPA in Nagaland.
“The committee will deliver its findings in 45 days, and I am optimistic that there will be some constructive progress,” he continued.
On December 26, the Centre set up a high-level committee led by a secretary rank officer to look into the prospect of repealing the contentious AFSPA in Nagaland, ostensibly to ease increasing tensions in the northeastern state following the killing of 14 people.
The group was formed three days after Sarma and his Nagaland counterpart, Neiphiu Rio, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
After 13 civilians were gunned down by the Army in a bungled anti-insurgency operation in Nagaland in December last year, and another person was slain in ensuing rioting, the north east demanded that AFSPA be repealed. The chief ministers of Nagaland and Meghalaya have also made a request to the Centre.
Apart from Nagaland and Assam, the Act is in effect in Manipur (except the Imphal Municipal Council Area), Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang, Longding, and Tirap districts, and regions coming under the jurisdiction of eight police stations in its districts bordering Assam. The Centre recently extended it for another six months in Nagaland.
Sarma claimed that the tribal insurgency in Assam is nearly gone, praising civil society organisations and student organisations for their efforts.
“Tribal militancy has come to an end. Except for the ULFA, all militant groups have crossed the border and put guns… ULFA(I) is our final stumbling block “he stated
“The tribals are now resolute in their opposition to insurgency. If we do not impose any injustice on them, there would be no rebirth of militancy among them “According to the chief minister.
Sarma claims that his personal contacts with those who are directly or indirectly in contact with ULFA(I) head Paresh Barua have taught him that the militant leader, like the government, prefers a peaceful settlement.
“The stumbling point is the concept of “sovereignty.” We won’t be able to hold a dialogue because ULFA(I) will demand it. We’re attempting to break the impasse “he stated
The unilateral ceasefire declared by the ULFA(I) in response to his appeal for peace shortly after taking office in May of last year is a significant start. According to Sarma, the Assam government has not engaged in any “direct conflict” with the organisation in the recent eight months.
“However, if we receive information that people are attempting to join ULFA(I) or that its members are seeking money from the public, we must intervene as a government,” he continued.
