The act gives sweeping powers to the armed forces operating in disturbed areas to search, arrest, and open fire if they deem it necessary,  The AFSPA has also been withdrawn from all districts except four in Assam, he said. 

On Saturday night, the Rashtrapati Bhavan announced that Lakshman Prasad Acharya, formerly the Governor of Sikkim, will now serve as the Governor of Assam, with the additional charge of Manipur.