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| AFSPA in Kashmir a national requirement | | Plain-speaking by Army chief | | Neha
JAMMU, Jan 14: Army chief General Bikram Singh, who doesn't speak quite frequently, on Monday did some plain-talking and asserted that Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is a national requirement in the militant-infested Jammu and Kashmir and that any attempt to dilute or revoke it would jeopardize the paramount national interests in the state. Justifying the relevance of AFSPA in the state, he said: "There are inputs of a possible terrorist spillover into the Valley after the US drawdown in Afghanistan. We need to look at developments in Afghanistan in 2014 before we can look at perhaps tampering with or diluting the Disturbed Areas Act". He made this important statement while talking to reporters in New Delhi two days ahead of the Army Day (Jan 15).
Of course, General Singh described as "positive" the recent talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, but disclosed that "the Indian side has taken up with Pakistan all issues pertaining to the peace and tranquility at the Line of Control (LoC)". But more than that, he made it loud and clear that any infiltration attempt from across the border would elicit a strong response from the Indian Army, as it is committed to defending the borders and maintaining peace at any cost. "We will give a befitting reply if an infiltration attempt is made," he said, and added that "if rules are broken (by Islamabad), we cannot follow rules...then rules will be broken". He also took the opportunity to inform the outraged nation that the Army is verifying the authenticity of the video showing the head of Lance Naik Hemraj, who was beheaded by Pakistan Army on January 8, 2013 and said that if after verification of the authenticity of the footage it is found that it is correct, the Army would take up the issue "at an appropriate level".
Notwithstanding the fact that New Delhi did not take action against rouge Pakistan for the act of barbarity it committed after breaching the LoC in the Mendhar sector of Poonch district in January 2013 and also failed to act in the manner it should have following other acts of barbarity committed by the Pakistani Army and terrorists, the General's Monday statement should be taken to mean a positive development considering the manner the political establishment in New Delhi has been dealing with overlooking the national sentiment. What the Army chief said without mincing words must also be constructed as a reprimand of those in Jammu and Kashmir, especially persons like Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his uncle Mustafa Kamaal and the likes of Mehboob Beg, who miss no opportunity to undermine the institution of Army and describe the AFSPA as a draconian legislation.
All the three NC leaders, besides others of their ilk, have been repeatedly demanding revocation/dilution of the AFSPA saying the situation in the state is normal and there is no need for the Army to operate in certain areas and enforce the AFSPA. It is not just the NC and similar other outfits which have been opposing the presence of Army in Kashmir and demanding revocation of the AFSPA. A number of political parties, including the Left parties and ultra Left party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP, too have unleashed a no-holds-barred campaign against the Army and the AFSPA. The AAP has even demanded referendum on the issue.
Now that the Army chief has justified the retention of the AFSPA, it is hoped that the better sense would prevail and the pro-autonomy and divisive NC will give up its unjustifiable demands. It is not the NC and similar other outfits in Kashmir which are the chief factors in the political situation of the state. It is for the Army to decide if the troops have to deployed or redeployed or not deployed. Even otherwise, the State Government has no right to interfere in the security related issues, except to act against those who work against the institution of the state. |
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