The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was recently extended for six more months in Tinsukia, along with neighbouring districts Charaideo and Sivasagar, following a recommendation from the Assam government and approval by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. This extension came into effect from 1 October 2025 and keeps these areas designated as “disturbed areas” under the law until March 2026. Authorities stated that despite significant improvements in law-and-order due to sustained counter-insurgency efforts, occasional incidents involving suspected militant groups such as ULFA(I) and movements of NSCN cadres continue to pose security challenges.
AFSPA grants special powers to security forces operating in areas declared “disturbed,” including authority to conduct searches, make arrests without warrants, and take necessary action to maintain public order. While the law has been gradually withdrawn from many parts of Assam over recent years as the overall situation stabilized, the decision to retain it in Tinsukia and nearby districts reflects ongoing concerns about sporadic militant activity and the need for continued vigilance by security agencies.