On Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that there were no casualties in the state resulting from extremist violence in 2023, a year that marked the “total end of tribal militancy”.
He highlighted the significant achievement in peace efforts as the gradual withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, commonly known as AFSPA, from most regions of the state.
Sarma wrote on X, “due to sustained efforts of the Union and State Govt, Assam is witnessing an era of peace and prosperity”.
Due to sustained efforts of Union and State Govt, Assam is witnessing an era of peace and prosperity.
In 2023, several groups laid down their arms, AFSPA was further revoked and no lives were lost to extremist violence, marking a successful year for the State. pic.twitter.com/QJGhtYbLlY
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 26, 2023
The CM mentioned that Assam has been transformed into an “abode of peace,” and 2023 was “an unprecedented year as our policing and peace efforts bore fruit”.
The AFSPA has been gradually removed from the northeastern state, with only four districts now under its jurisdiction, he said.
It provides authority to security forces for operations and arrests without a warrant, offering immunity from arrest and prosecution if they shoot someone dead, according to officials.
Sarma also asserted that tribal militancy had completely ceased in Assam in 2023. He mentioned the rehabilitation of 8,756 former militants in the past two years, involving an investment of over Rs 300 crore for this purpose.
Sarma added that skilling and ability enhancement training have been imparted to the surrendered militants, who are now “aiding in the state’s economic growth”.
