JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Jan 15:
The Army today said the talks of withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir was “pre-mature”, even as the state’s political parties mounted their opposition to the law.
The talks of the withdrawal of AFSPA at this moment is “pre-mature” and “let us wait for the situation to stabilise more”, GOC-in-C of Northern Command Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra told reporters after the conclusion of the Investiture Ceremony in the Akhnoor belt of Jammu today.
Referring to Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh remarks that there should be no dilution of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen Chachra said, “The Army Chief has said the right thing. I have also told you that there is peace… It is perceived peace… There is (terror) infrastructure in place. They are already sitting in the launching pads to enter and pollute the atmosphere here, and they have the ability to do so.”
In Srinagar, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in a statement today opposed the Army Chief’s remarks on continuing the AFSPA, and said the law “has outlived its utility and the state is ready for full restoration of fundamental rights” which are severely restricted by such provisions.
The ruling National Conference too had yesterday said the controversial law “has lost its relevance” and “should be phased out and that too in a time bound manner”.
“This is the time to reach out and make sure that there is peace… But we cannot put our guards down,” the GOC-in-C of Northern Command said, adding that human rights violations would not acceptable at all and people should not be disturbed during anti-terror operations.
“The terrorist infrastructure, the camps are in place… Its (Pakistan) intent remains and it has the capability,” Lt Gen Chachra added.
“On the LoC and hinterland, my men and troops have been given clear directions that they will remain alert to any nefarious design that inimical forces want to do against us. We are prepared and 2014 is very important and crucial year for us… We must ensure that this year we achieve more peace in the state,” he said.
“We have also given clear directions that all operations should be people-friendly. No collateral damage should take place. No trigger which anybody can exploit… If a terrorist runs away so be it… We will find them again, but we do not want the people to get disturbed,” he added.
“There was no human rights violations and complaints last year… My directions to my men and my commanders are very explicit that human rights violations will not be acceptable at all… And if there is we will not wait for a complaint to come, we will take action,” he said.
“There has been an increase in terrorist incidents last year. We have lost some boys, police have lost some. We have learnt lessons. We will ensure that there is no complacency and that they (militants) are put on the runs, while there is peace, we will see how it works in 2014,” he said.
Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar said, “Laws like AFSPA cannot be a permanent feature of governance. The people of the state have repeatedly reaffirmed their faith in the democratic process, over the past many years, and it is time that the Government of India responds positively to the growing democratic culture in the state.”
Reacting to the statement of the Army Chief on January 13 that there should be no dilution of AFSPA in the state in view of the prevailing situation in the region, including possible terrorist spillover into the valley after the US draw down in Afghanistan, Mehbooba said, “The party strongly objected to the statement of the Army Chief on the subject.”
She said while holding elections and participation of the people are essential for a democratic polity, democracy in the state will lack vibrancy as long as civil institutions, judiciary and elected bodies do not feel fully empowered, as in the rest of the country.
“AFSPA was enacted at a time, when thousands of young people, disillusioned with democratic process that was brazenly subverted in 1987 elections, were forced to pick up guns. But now, according to the government’s own statistics there are only a few militants operating in the state.
“To win over even the last alienated young person, it is necessary that democracy and its institutions are fully functional and able to address and accommodate other views. We have to respond to an idea with a more creative idea, so that nobody is any longer compelled to pick up a gun or fall to philosophy of hatred and violence,” the PDP president said.
The PDP took up the matter with the Prime Minister in 2007, in response to which a high-level committee had also been appointed to review the law, she said, adding her party has time and again emphasised that gun and force from either side will not resolve the problem. (agencies)_
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