Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said although Army has expressed reservations for the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the State, he would continue his efforts for the withdrawal of the Act in phases especially from the areas where Army is not involved in fighting militancy.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Police Commemoration Day function at Armed Complex-Zewan, Omar said that State Government stands by its commitment of stage wise revocation of AFPSA. He said situation is almost normal with stray militant incidents adding that time is ripe for revocation of AFSPA.
He said it is no secret that Army publicly expressed its reservation on the withdrawal of AFSPA. “I believe we are comfortably placed for the phase-wise removal of the AFSPA. As far as I am concerned, it is a mission worth pursuing and I am going to pursue this objective,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he believed the situation and circumstances allow for withdrawal of Act. “Militancy is at an all time low, casualties are at an all time low, you continue to have areas where the Army has no requirement for operations and, therefore, this is as good time as any,” he said.
He admitted that not much progress has been made on this issue and said that time is not far away when this Act is revoked at least from some areas of the State.
The Chief Minister while referring to the killing of Panchayat members in North Kashmir said that prima facie evidence suggested that killing of these persons was in anyway related to the militancy. He said the killers might have used the released militants or for that matter active militants in order to settle their scores with the slain Panchayat members.
“I have already said that killing of Panchayat members in Baramulla district has nothing to do with militancy. There are a host of reasons for which these people would have been killed and it is not fair to link the killings with militancy. Indications suggested that the Panchayat members had some animosity with some people and this might have led to their killing”, said Omar.
He added that investigations have been launched into the recent militant attack near the Silver Star hotel at Lasjan on Srinagar-Baramulla highway. He said that details would be shared as and when the probe is completed. He added that it would be premature to jump to any conclusion in this case.
Omar while referring to Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s denial to avail the helicopter facility to visit Holy Amarnath cave said that if Geelani would have been sincere he should have taken his offer to clear the confusion. He said no construction activity is going on near the shrine or en-route.
“It is too easy to sit in a cozy room and then level allegations against the State Government. Geelani Sahib should have availed the facility of the State helicopter and pointed out to the construction going on near the cave. His denial clearly showed that he is making wild allegations without any proof. No construction whatsoever is going on near the cave and there is no need to create confusion on this issue,” he added.
Earlier in his address, Omar said that some people don’t want peace to prevail in the state more so Kashmir valley. He said while some of the ‘subversive’ elements use gun for their means there are others who issue statements so that the pot always remains hot.
“Some of the people have become jealous of the present situation. As slowly and surely we are reaching the level of normalcy these people are looking for ways and means in order to disturb the peace. These people make merry out of the bloodshed and they would never be happy with peace. Their single line agenda is that people should always suffer and there should be no prosperity,” said Omar.
He said that stray militant incidents and protest calendars would not disturb the peace in the State adding that subversive elements would be given a befitting reply. He said the subversive elements want the situation to take a U-turn so that the militancy gets revived in the State.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Police are one of the best professional and disciplined police forces in the country. Ideally, I was in favour of putting more responsibilities on the shoulders of the police jawans but that stage has not come so far. We cannot ensure total peace in the State without the cooperation of Jammu and Kashmir Police. The police have overcome many challenges and they are ready to face challenges in future as well,” said Omar.
He said that the normalcy of the situation can be gauged by the fact that there are less police casualties in Jammu and Kashmir as compared to the casualties suffered by police forces of other States. He said Jammu and Kashmir Police have to ensure safety of people and also thwart away the protesters with sticks as and when protest demonstrations are carried out.
The Chief Minister announced that uniform allowance and kit maintenance allowance have been enhanced for the police jawans. He said ex-gratia allowance has also been increased while as the proposal of providing two sets of uniform to traffic police personnel have also been cleared by the State Government.
In his speech, Director General of Police, Ashok Prasad said that 918 police jawans have laid down their lives while fighting militancy in the state. Prasad said that 479 Special Police Officers (SPOs) and 131 Village Defence Committee (VDC) members were killed by militants during the 22 years of militancy.
“We had to pay a heavy price for preserving the safety and security of the people living in the State. Our officers and jawans sacrificed their lives while braving the challenges during the period of militancy. Even today we are on guard while ensuring that no untoward incident takes place anywhere in the State,” said Prasad.
He said that some of the militant incidents are still taking place adding that the state is not completely free from militancy. He said the militants are on run adding that there is tremendous pressure on them. He added that police would foil every attempt that is made to disturb the peace and calm in the State.
“We have taken many welfare measures for the families of the martyred jawans and officers. Free education is being provided to the children of the martyred jawans. Rs. 1.50 crore were disbursed as ex-gratia relief during the past one year while as cash assistance of Rs. 75 lakh was provided to the bereaved families,” said Prasad.
He said that 654 jobs have been provided to the next of kin of the slain jawans in the police department while as 134 such jobs have been provided in the other departments. He said 440 scholarships amounting to Rs. 28 lakh were provided to the children of the slain jawans.
Prasad said that Rs. 12 lakh cash assistance was provided to the members of the bereaved families during the last one year. He said that 2870 persons were appointed in the police department during the last year while as 1101 SPOs were inducted into the police force.
Omar said UPA Government at the Centre will last its full term and Lok Sabha elections will be held as per schedule in 2014.
“I am of the belief that Parliamentary elections will not be held before 2014,” he said. He rejected suggestions that the corruption allegations levelled by Arvind Kejriwal will affect the Government.
Omar also said it was for Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to take a decision on his joining the UPA Government.
“This is for the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi to decide whether he wants to join the Government or not. The Prime Minister has already said that he wants Rahul Gandhi to join the Government,” he said in response to a question.
Asked if the time was right for Gandhi to join the Government against which allegations of corruption have been leveled by Kejriwal, the Chief Minister said, “It has got nothing to do with Kejriwal and others.”
To another question, Omar said, “Some people want to launch a new political party and to bring it to the notice of the public, they are using different tactics. It would not have any effect on the Government.”
Omar, however, did not discount the possibility of the allegations impacting the outcome of elections but said the extent will be known only after the polls.
The allegations “will affect the elections but how much do these…Will be known only after the polls,” he said.
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