The Assam government said it has extended the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire state for six more months with effect from February 28.

The act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives a certain level of immunity to the security forces in case of an operation going wrong. "After reviewing the law and order situation in Assam in the past six months, the state government has declared the entire State of Assam as 'Disturbed Area' up to 6 (six) months with effect from 28/02/2022, unless withdrawn earlier," an official release said.