Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 6

Amid reports that Assam is considering approaching the Centre to get the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act lifted from some parts of the state, the Home Affairs Ministry on Friday issued a notification declaring the state “disturbed” under the law for three more months.The notification, which cited violent activities by insurgent groups such as ULFA and NDFB, came after the last extension issued on November 5, 2016, ended yesterday. The MHA said the entire Assam and bordering areas covering 20 km of Meghalaya have been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA for three months with effect from May 3.The move also comes in the backdrop of India reportedly facing severe criticism from over 100 countries, including the US, for its “poor human rights records” during the 3rd universal periodic review at the UN Human Rights Council.