Assam declared ‘disturbed area’ for six months

The fresh order is an extension of a similar move on August 28 last year, when the state was declared a ‘Disturbed Area’ for six months. There is no official comment yet on the reason behind the extension.

Published on: Feb 25, 2021, 06:33:09 IST

By Utpal Parashar, Guwahati

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Ahead of the assembly elections, Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi declared the entire state as ‘Disturbed Area’ for six months starting February 27.

Govt officials familiar with the matter cited attacks on security forces in the northeast and recovery of large amounts of arms and ammunition from several parts of Assam as a reason for the move. (AP file photo)

The state is scheduled to go to polls in April-May.

“As per powers conferred under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the Governor of Assam has declared the entire state of Assam as ‘disturbed area’ up to six months beyond February 27, 2021, unless withdrawn earlier,” a release issued by the state government stated.

The fresh order is an extension of a similar move on August 28 last year, when the state was declared a ‘Disturbed Area’ for six months. There is no official comment yet on the reason behind the extension.

However, government officials familiar with the matter cited attacks on security forces in the northeast and recovery of large amounts of arms and ammunition from several parts of Assam as a reason for the move.

On Tuesday, 1,040 militants belonging to five different rebel outfits from Karbi Anglong region of the state had laid down arms in front of chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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