HT Bureau
Guwahati, Oct 9: Days after AFSPA was extended in four districts of Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the state government and the Army wanted a complete withdrawal of the controversial law but the Centre took a “cautious” approach by continuing it in some areas.
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With effect from October 1, the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) was extended for six more months in four districts of Assam, while withdrawing it from four other districts.
“The state government had recommended complete withdrawal of AFSPA from Assam. The Indian Army was also insisting on a complete withdrawal,” Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a programme where he unveiled a larger-than-life statue of medieval-era Ahom army commander Lachit Borphukan and a Swahid Smarak at Bir Lachit Borphukan Park inside Narengi Military Station in Guwahati.
Addressing the programme Sarma exuded confidence AFSPA shall disappear completely from the state in days to come, as normalcy finally returns to the State.
The two imposing structures, funded by the Government of Assam, were conceptualised by Major General (Retd.) R.K. Jha, former General Officer Commanding of 51 Sub Area of the Indian Army in Narengi.
Sarma was also a witness to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Assam and the Indian Army for upskilling of ex-servicemen and their dependents.
Speaking at an event, the Chief Minister termed the unveiling of the statue of Lachit Borphukan inside the Narengi Military Station a major milestone in the current dispensation’s relentless attempts at spreading the valorous saga of the medieval-era Ahom army commander across the nook and corner of the country.
He said the statue of Lachit and the Swahid Smarak, built to keep alive the memories of the supreme sacrifices of the country’s brave soldiers, shall inspire a sense of deep patriotism among the visitors to the park where they have been installed.
Speaking about the MoU signed today between the State government and the Indian Army, Sarma exuded confidence the upskilling of ex-servicemen and their dependents would help them immensely in gaining remunerative employment and self-employment.
He spoke about steps such as reservations in jobs, etc. for ex-servicemen the State government has taken for the benefits of the ex-servicemen community.
Sarma lauded the role of the Army in bringing peace to the once strife-torn state.
Today’s event was also attended by Assam ministers Jayanta Mallabaruah, Bimal Borah, GOC-in-C of Army’s Eastern Command Lt General Rana Pratap Kalita, Lt General Sanjay Malik (GOC, 101 Area), Major General (Retd.) R.K. Jha (Former GOC of 51 Sub Area), Director General of Police G.P. Singh, along with senior officials of the Army and civilian administration. (With inputs from PTI)
