The Assam government has extended the “Disturbed Area” status of four districts for six months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958. 

The four districts – Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sivasagar – have been identified as areas that require special attention due to continuous presence of militant organizations. 

The Assam Police submitted a proposal to the Home Ministry seeking extension of the “Disturbed Area” status in the four districts. According to the Assam Police, the overall law and order situation of the state has improved. However, one militant group remains active in these districts. 

After due consideration, the home ministry approved the extension of AFSPA in the four districts, starting from April 1.

Guwahati:

The Assam government has barred its employees from marrying another person if the spouse is alive and warned of punitive action if they indulged in bigamy.

The ‘Office Memorandum’ (OM) by the personnel department, which did not mention a divorce criterion, instructed employees to obtain the government’s permission before marrying another person if the spouse is alive.

“No government servant who has a wife living shall contract another marriage without first obtaining the permission of the government, notwithstanding that such subsequent marriage is permissible under the personal law for the time being applicable to him,” it added.

Likewise, no female government servant shall marry any person who has a husband living without first obtaining the permission of the government, said the OM, which came into force with immediate effect.

The notification was issued by personnel additional chief secretary Niraj Verma on October 20, but it came to light on Thursday.

It said the guidelines have been issued as per the provisions of Rule 26 of The Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965.

“In the context of the above provisions, the disciplinary authority may initiate immediate departmental proceeding…for imposition of major penalty, including compulsory retirement,” the order stated.

It termed such a practice as a gross misconduct on the part of a government servant having “large bearings” on society.

The OM further asked authorities to also take necessary legal steps whenever such cases are detected. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)