Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: While the Minister of State for Home from National Conference (NC) Party Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo reiterated Government’s and particularly Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolve for the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the Jammu and Kashmir State, the Congress members, however, surprisingly maintained a ‘soft’ stand and did not even oppose the move.
A resolution seeking withdrawal of AFSPA from some districts of Kashmir and Jammu provinces, where law and order situation has improved, was moved in the Upper House of the Legislature by the National Conference member, Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri today. He strongly pleaded that in the backdrop of the normalization of situation in the State and Justice Verma Committee recommendations, AFSPA shall be revoked with immediate effect at least from the areas of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal and Anantnag in Kashmir and Jammu, Samba, Kathua Udhampur in Jammu province.
Dr Veeri while justifying his demand through this resolution maintained that there was considerable improvement in the militancy related incidents in many areas of Kashmir and many districts of Jammu are also peaceful now. A large number of tourists have been visiting the State and under such circumstances there was need to review this decision. He said to make the beginning, AFSPA be revoked in phased manner from the districts where normalcy has returned.
The NC member pointed out that this law was first enforced by the Britishers in 1942 to suppress the freedom movement in India. It is now prevent in many parts of Pakistan’s tribal areas and also in India in the North East and J&K State. It was redefined in India in 1958 and then invoked in certain areas. Its use amounts to violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens and the people face lot of hardships.
Dr Veeri, without naming anybody, further alleged that this law was imposed in J&K for the first time (as Disturbed Area Act) when a top leader from Kashmir was the Union Home Minister in 1990. Since then the people of this State have suffered a lot. He said the Verma Committee has also recommended that it should be withdrawn where it is not needed. He pressed that House should adopt the resolution and pass it in the larger interest of the State. Sayed Rafiq Shah of NPP seconded the resolution.
Congress member Jehangir Mir while opposing the resolution said that such laws are imposed for the welfare of the people. Otherwise, there will be anarchy at all. Mr Mir said in view of violence and militancy, the circumstances forced the Government to take such steps and imposed the AFSPA. He said the law was good but it’s implementation was not proper. The people working under it needed to work with utmost responsibility.
While opposing the resolution, the MoS Home however, said that Government was already keen for the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State in phased manner. He said for the purpose the Government has constituted two committees, one for Jammu and second for Kashmir region, which will examine the issues of phased withdrawal of AFSPA from the districts which have witnessed significant decrease in militancy related activities and seen sustained peace. He said this Act was enforced in J&K in July 1990 through Parliament resolution. It was imposed first in six districts of Kashmir and then extended to Jammu areas in 2001.
Mr Kitchloo further said several districts especially Jammu province have witnessed sustained peace and normalcy, as such once the committee submits its report to the State Government, the matter will be discussed and taken up for consultation with the Union Government. However, he said there is no question of withdrawal of AFSPA from the districts where militancy exists and has influence.
As the Minister gave assurance during reply, Dr Veeri did not press for it and the resolution was withdrawn by him.
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