AFSPA extended in Assam for six months

New Delhi Sep 1 (IANS) The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended in Assam for the next six months a Home Ministry official said on Friday.

"The state government has for the first time since 1990 extended the act on its own. Earlier the Home Ministry used to do it " the official said. The extension comes into effect from September 1.

The Union Home Ministry -- which had tagged entire Assam as disturbed area for promulgating the controversial Act on November 27 1990 at the height of militancy spearheaded by Ulfa -- made the last extension of the enforcement of the Act on August 3 till August 31.

The Ministry decision however came with a rider that if the state feels the Act is necessary it could extend the term of AFSPA on its own.

--IANS
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