AFSPA to be withdrawn from parts of Kashmir: Omar Abdullah-Oct 22, 2011

AFSPA to be withdrawn from parts of Kashmir: Omar Abdullah

Published: Saturday, Oct 22, 2011, 9:00 IST
By Ishfaq-ul-Hassan | Place: Srinagar | Agency: DNA

Overruling the army’s objections, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday announced that the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be withdrawn from certain areas of the state in the next few days.

“With the gradual improvement in the security situation and return of peace, some laws (AFSPA) are being removed from certain areas within the next few days,” Omar said while addressing the police commemoration day function at Zewan.

He said his government always believed that the dividends of peace should reach to people and laws imposed at the start of militancy be removed with gradual improvement in security and law and order situation. “We want peace to restore across the state so that all laws imposed are revoked. These laws will be revoked from all parts of the state gradually with the restoration of peace and tranquility,” he said.

“The J&K police is able to maintain the security situation in these areas after the removal of AFSPA. They are fully capable to shoulder the responsibilities in this regard,” he added.

The chief minister’s statement comes just days after army said the issue (AFSPA) has not even come-up for discussions in the unified command or core group meetings of the forces.

The army argues that the controversial AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir is necessary until the terrorist infrastructure was dismantled across the LoC.

Under AFSPA, the armed forces have sweeping powers to operate in the state with impunity.Under AFSPA, an official of the armed forces can shoot anybody if he is of the opinion that he is acting against law.

Meanwhile, moderate Hurriyat Conference termed Omar’s announcement as half-hearted measures which will not have the desired effects on ground.