AFSPA Will Be Fully Lifted From Assam, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be completely lifted from the state and and reiterated the commitment of his government to end polygamy and menace like child marriage.

Speaking on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day celebration at Veterinary College Field, Khanapara Mr Sarma said: “In Assam, the AFSPA has been scrapped from many districts already. The law and order situation of the state has improved largely and soon the Act will be completely lifted from the entire Assam.” He said that it would be a historic day for the state.

The chief minister also said that the northeast has witnessed unprecedented development after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre. “Beginning from the rail network to the development of roads, there has been a massive change in the region. Now, the maximum number of states in the northeast has been connected by broad gauge rail line,” he mentioned.

Mr Sarma also pointed out that the border disputes of Assam with other northeastern states are reaching a solution. “With the support of the Prime Minister, I hope that border disputes in the northeast will be completely solved. We have been moving in that direction,” he added.

Mr Sarma also announced about massive administrative reforms in the state, saying that there will be no sub-divisions, which will instead be converted into sub-districts.

“The administration will decide on the circles, block reorganisation, and how the panchayats will function. It will be necessary to implement administrative reforms, and we must work nonstop on this for two months,” he added.

The chief minister also mentioned that the state government was going to regularise a substantial number of teaching posts in the government schools within a very short time.

“Those who are working as contractual teachers in primary and high schools, the education department will regularise their services in a short time,” he said.

In his speech, the chief minister also announced that his government is committed to end child marriage in the state by the year 2026. He reiterated that his government will bring a strong law to end polygamy in the state. He said,  “To end polygamy in the state, our government has decided to bring a strong law soon. Our government had formed an expert committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Rumi Phukan to end polygamy."

“Earlier, our government conducted a massive operation against child marriage across the state and nearly 4000 people were arrested. Now we will launch another massive crackdown on child marriage in the state in September this year,” said Mr Sarma.