GUWAHATI: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday held out hope for some “positive developments” over the next 45 days on Nagaland’s demand to revoke the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as a committee set up by the Union home ministry examines whether a full or partial withdrawal would be feasible.
Assam, where the legislation is due for renewal in March, will take a “pragmatic decision” in consultation with the ministry of home affairs when the time comes, he said. “Regarding AFSPA, finally Assam will see rationalisation of it in 2022. The Army has been virtually withdrawn from Assam, barring five to six districts. It is a dynamic situation.” Sarma’s statement in Guwahati comes on the heels of the Centre extending the legislation in Nagaland by another six months with effect from December 31.
Sarma, who was part of the meeting that decided to constitute a panel to look into Nagaland’s demand, said PM Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah’s approach had been “very positive”.
Sarma said tribal militancy in his state was over while a solution to the “conflict” with Paresh Baruah's Ulfa(I) was on the radar. “It is a very complicated situation. But I dare say that we are seeing the beginning of an end,” he said.
