Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) could be removed from the entire state by end of this year and the state government is working towards it.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, the Assam CM said, “We are working towards that. Our idea is that by the year-end we want to see that Assam is completely free from AFSPA.”

Sarma said, “Whether the police force strengthens itself will determine whether I am completely successful or only 90 per cent successful. In the Commandant conference, I discussed that.”

“Basically, I am requesting the police to create a situation in Assam so that we don’t have to have AFSPA. But if the police are not 100 per cent successful then AFSPA will continue in five districts. If the police are successful, then we will withdraw it. That was a deliberation between the Home Minister and Police force,” he added.

Earlier on Monday too, the Assam CM had said that the state is aiming to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA) completely from the state by the end of this year.

AFSPA empowers security forces operating in “disturbed areas” to search, seize, to arrest without warrant, and to use firearms on mere suspicion, with impunity.

“AFSPA may be lifted from the entire state by November. This will facilitate the replacement of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) by Assam Police battalions. However, presence of CAPFs as required by law shall be in place,” said a statement issued by the CM’s office, which Sarma shared on his official Twitter account.

At present, AFSPA is applicable in eight districts of Assam, which are, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivsagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.