Assam government has set up a goal to entirely “withdraw” the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on 15 August, Tuesday.
While giving a speech during the Independence Day celebrations that were held at the Khanapara Playground, the Chief Minister said that the AFSPA holds power in eight districts of the state now after his government came to power.
#WATCH | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hoisted the Tiranga and participated in #IndependenceDay celebrations in Guwahati. pic.twitter.com/m8ENZdYiZL
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
Sarma said, “Our government’s aim is to completely withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state by the end of this year. Before our government came to power, previous governments had requested the Centre to extend AFSPA 62 times. Now the situation has been improving.”
He said that during his tenure as a Chief Minister, four peace grants were signed with the rebellious groups and nearly 8000 militants have been affiliated with the mainstream politics.
The Chief Minister also stated that his government is determined to make Assam a ‘Drugs Free’, ‘Corruption Free’ state.
While declaring “zero tolerance” against corruption, CM Biswa said, “127 government employees have been arrested on corruption charges. Our government has taken the initiative to dismiss the arrested government employees from service.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that his administration will bring a strong law to end polygamy in the state.