NEW DELHI: After eight years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been revoked from 23 districts of Assam and partially from one, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday, adding he was confident it will soon be removed from the entire state.
“In the 1990s, AFSPA was implemented in Assam, and it was extended seven times. After eight years of Prime Minister Modi’s rule, it has been removed from over 60 percent of area in Assam,” Shah, who is on a two-day trip to the state, said in Guwahati.
On day two of his visit to the state, he presented the President’s Colour to the Assam Police here, after which he said that improved law and order and peace accords led to the partial withdrawal of AFSPA in Assam.
“Most of the militant outfits have entered into peace agreements due to the efforts of the Centre and chief minister Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and the day is not far when the entire state will be completely free from insurgency and violence,” Shah said in his address.
“Assam Police stood against the problem of extremism to maintain constitutional order. They faced guns with guns and brought the distracted youth to the mainstream then. Those who have surrendered and returned to the mainstream are being rehabilitated by both the central and state governments,” Shah added.
The Union home minister also said that decades-old border issues with neighbouring states were being resolved through parleys.
“Assam Police has successfully tackled border issues, smuggling of arms, drugs and cattle, rhino poaching and social issues like witchcraft as well to emerge as one of foremost police forces in India,” Shah said, adding it rightly deserves to be honoured with the President’s Colour for its exemplary service during the last 25 years.
Shah awarded the Assam Police with 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 — in the presence of CM Sarma and director general of police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta at ‘Alankaran Parade’ ceremony here.
The flag is engraved with Assam’s map and 36 stars representing the districts, 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.
In the morning, Shah planted a sapling here, marking the first year of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government.
Attaching photos of Shah planting the sapling, Sarma tweeted: “Marking completion of one year of our Govt, we’re blessed to have august presence of Hon Union HM Shri @AmitShah ji amidst us. He planted a sapling today as a symbol of another new beginning & embodiment of our unflinching commitment.”
Sarma had succeeded Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief minister to head the second BJP-led government in the state. Its other partners in the current ruling coalition are the Asom Gana Parishad and United People’s Party Liberal.
(With inputs from agencies)
