Assam to be free of militancy, AFSPA, says home minister Amit Shah

GUWAHATI: Union home minister Amit Shah while presenting the President’s Colours to Assam Police for its exemplary service during the last 25 years at an impressive parade ceremony here on Tuesday, conveyed optimism that Assam would soon be completely insurgency-free and consequently, completely AFSPA-free.
Shah is the third central leader after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh who have spoken about the withdrawal of the contentious law from the state in less than a month.
Shah credited the improving situation in the state to “the Centre and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for bringing most of the militant outfits into peace agreements”. He added, “The day is not far when the entire state will be completely free from insurgency and violence.”
“The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been revoked from 23 districts and partially from one district. It has been removed from almost 60% area of Assam. I am sure Assam will be completely insurgency-free and then AFSPA-free soon,” Shah said.
“AFSPA gives special powerts to armed forces but now we are working on giving a special power to the youths. Now youths are getting new powers of jobs and aspirations. Youths of Assam now want development instead of AFSPA,” he said. Later at another function at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Shah said, “Congress extended AFSPA in Assam seven times. We have withdrawn act from 60% area of the state. I want to tell Rahul baba that in your manifesto of 2019 you had promised to withdraw AFSPA. You said that for appeasement. In reality, if the situation in any area is peaceful there is no need for AFSPA. When you have peace, AFSPA will automatically go.”
He said those who have surrendered and returned to the mainstream are being rehabilitated by both the central and Assam governments and they will participate in the development journey of the state.
Praising the state police, Shah said, “Assam Police have a glorious history and successfully tackled insurgency, border issues, smuggling of arms, drugs and cattle, rhino poaching and social issues like witchcraft to emerge as one of the foremost police forces of the country.” He added, “Assam Police have also successfully dealt with Partition, the communal clashes that followed, refugee problems, infiltration and the Bangladesh Liberation War. Assam Police have tackled banned insurgent bodies like Ulfa, NDFB, NSCN and other outfits for three decades within the constitutional framework. Under the Unified Command, the force has helped the army effectively ensure both border and internal security.”
“Assam Police rightly deserve to be honoured with the President’s Colour and I, as the home minister, is very proud of the force,” he said. Assam is the 10th state in the country to receive the President’s Colour and the second state in the northeast after Tripura.