Aiming to withdraw AFSPA by end of 2023, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

HYDERABAD: In a huge announcement made on Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he was aiming to withdraw the controversial AFSPA law from the entire state by November.

"We will also rope in ex-military personnel to train our police force," Mr Sarma added.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 or AFSPA which empowers security forces to arrest anyone without prior warrant, was introduced in Assam, when the state was declared as "disturbed area" in 1990 November and since then it was extended every six months.

The law has always faced staunch criticism from human rights activists who alleged that it had often been misused to make arrests and even shoot people.

The Chief Minister has been pitching for the complete withdrawal of the law citing improved law and order situation in the state.