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Chidambaram, Antony need to concur on AFSPA: Khurshid
Tuesday October 25, 2011 06:48:20 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi: Differences
in the central government over withdrawing the special powers for
the armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir came out in the open
Tuesday, with Law Minister Salman Khurshid saying Home Minister P.
Chidambaram and Defence Minister A.K. Antony needed to concur on
the issue.
He also said the Indian Army has to be taken on board before any
decision can be taken on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA),
which gives the defence forces unfettered powers to deal with
terrorism and which critics say results in rights violations.
"The home minister and the defence minister should first concur on
the issue and the army should be taken on board before a final
decision can be taken (on AFSPA withdrawal)," Khurshid told
reporters here.
His comments come in the wake of Kashmir Chief Minister Omar
Abdullah's comments last week that "with gradual improvement in
the security situation and return of peace, some laws like AFSPA
are being removed from some areas within the next few days".
Khurshid said the chief minister may have "compelling reasons" to
address the aspirations of the people of the state for pushing for
the withdrawal of the special law, which has been in force in the
state for more than 21 years.
Abdullah's remarks, some quarters feel, came after his discussions
with Chidambaram last week.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju said the
government was examining the demand for withdrawal of AFSPA at the
highest level.
However, Raju said he thought the special law was "needed for the
forces to function in some very, very difficult times."
"What the chief minister is asking for is lifting AFSPA from some
areas, where there are more peaceful conditions. But I am sure the
government and the (defence) ministry will take a balanced view on
that," he added.
Highly placed official sources have said that Jammu and Kashmir
Governor N.N. Vohra will have a final say in deciding whether
special powers to the armed forces in Kashmir are to be revoked
from some areas and when.
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