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Parrikar sets record straight, says Army needs AFSPA Slap on the face of separatists 5/28/2016 12:04:25 AM Early Times Report Jammu, May 27: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has virtually ruled out withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir in near future, saying that the Act is needed so long as the Army is involved in counter insurgency operations, though any decision in this regard will be taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "My department's role comes into picture when Army is asked to proceed and act in the civilian area. We require this Act when Army is asked to operate. For counter terror operations Army needs special power," he said in Delhi while speaking on second anniversary of the Narendra Modi Government in the Centre. Without mincing words, Parikar said: "If special powers will not be given, the Army will not go to civilian areas to do operations. Home Ministry is assessing how much area is to be taken under operation. If army is required this act has to be there otherwise army can not operate. Jawan can not be made to face standard law". His candid and unambiguous response came at time when all the Kashmiri parties, separatists, semi-separatists and perverted civil society groups have been demanding the roll back of AFSPA. It is perhaps for the first time that any Union Minister has set the record straight saying that Army doesn't operate in the civilian areas on its own and that it acts only when the failed civil administration asks it help it maintain law and order and fight out insurgents and anti-nationals. In other words, he plainly told the PDP-BJP coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir and others in Kashmir that the Defence Ministry cannot consider its demand. His line was clear: "If special powers will not be given, the Army will not go to civilian areas to do operations". What the Defence Minister said could be construed as a big slap on the face separatists like Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik and on the face of semi-separatists like Omar Abdullah, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, to mention only a few. But more than that, what he said must have been appreciated by the Army, which had been conducting anti-insurgency operations in a hostile environment, including the highly negative attitude of certain elements in the establishment.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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