Jammu: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will on Wednesday hold a crucial meeting with the Army’s Unified Command to discuss the withdrawal of controversial Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA) from the state.
The J&K Chief Minister and Union Home Ministry are in support of revocation of the AFSPA from some parts of the state, which has been in force for more than 21 years in the state.
Omar’s ruling National Conference Party is strongly pressing for the removal of AFSPA, but alliance partner Congress has expressed its displeasure at not being consulted on the issue. The state Congress chief Saifuddin Soz articulated the anger of his party, saying the Congress has not been consulted on the issue.
The crucial meeting is likely to discuss the proposals of Army and the state government on AFSPA revocation. On its part, the Army has suggested that te armed forces be removed from some parts of the state while retaining AFSPA. It suggests Police and Para-military forces take charge of those areas but permit the Army to enter whenever required. Same arrangement is currently force in Assam.
On the other hand, the J&K government has proposed removal of AFSPA from select police station areas in the state while retaining provisions of the AFSPA provision around the Army garrisons and installations.
The government says that proposal will give the Army immense powers to deal with the emergency. But, Army is not ready to accept the proposal saying the proposed arrangement is not practically possible.
AFSPA, which gives sweeping powers to the armed forces, was invoked in the Valley in 1990 and Jammu region in 2001.
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