Dibrugarh Removed from ‘Disturbed Area’ Status as MHA Withdraws AFSPA
Why in News?
- Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to withdraw Dibrugarh Removed from ‘Disturbed Area’ Status as MHA Withdraws AFSPA “disturbed area” status from the district in Assam, leading to the revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the region. This move signifies an improvement in the security situation and aligns with the state’s developmental goals, including plans to establish Dibrugarh as Assam’s second capital.
Important Key Points:
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AFSPA Revocation in Dibrugarh: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially removed the “disturbed area” designation from Dibrugarh, leading to the withdrawal of AFSPA from the district.
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Chief Minister’s Announcement: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the revocation, highlighting the state’s efforts to reduce areas under AFSPA.
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Current AFSPA Coverage: With this decision, AFSPA remains in effect in only three districts: Charaideo, Tinsukia, and Sivasagar.
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Historical Context: AFSPA was first enforced across Assam in 1990 during the peak of insurgency by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and has been extended every six months since then.
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State’s Vision for Dibrugarh: The Assam government recently decided to upgrade Dibrugarh town, a hub of the tea industry, as Assam’s second capital after Dispur. The removal of AFSPA is expected to aid in this development.
