GUWAHATI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has withdrawn the “disturbed area” tag from Assam’s Dibrugarh, officially lifting the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the district. This was announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, March 27.
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“MAJOR WIN FOR ASSAM'S PEACE EFFORTS,” Sarma posted on X. “My immense gratitude to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji for removing AFSPA from Dibrugarh.”
Sarma further stated that the move would further strengthen Dibrugarh’s position as Assam’s second capital.
With this development, three districts in Assam remain under AFSPA for the time being, including Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia. However, the chief minister expressed confidence that the ‘disturbed area’ tag would soon be lifted from these districts as well.
AFSPA, which grants extensive powers to security forces, was first imposed in Assam in November 1990 and had been extended every six months since. In recent years, however, the Act has been systematically withdrawn.
In 2024, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao were earlier removed from its purview.
