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| Army Chief opposes repeal or dilution of AFSPA | | | It is unfortunate that the Army authorities and senior politicians in the centre besides in Jammu and Kashmir keep on exchanging different views on the demand for the repeal of the Armed Forces (special powers) Act(AFSPA) or for its amendment.If the Army Chief,Gen.V.K.Singh,has voiced his opposition to the repeal or to the dilution of the AFSPA he has been possibly provoked by media reports indicating that the Congress led UPA Government had plans of conceding the demand of Kashmir Chief Minister,Omar Abdullah,and the PDP patron,Mufti Mohd.Sayeed,for the repeal of the AFSPA.And Omar had,of late,demanded dilution of the Act so that it was made more humane than it is at present.Well Gen.Singh has hit back saying that those politicians who were demanding withdrawal or dilution of the Act were doing so for "their narrow political gains."He has stated that since the troops were performing their duty in an atmosphere that was totally hostile they needed some
legal protection for performing their tasks efficiently.It is not for the first time that the Army authorities have opposed any plan for withdrawing or amending the AFSPA.Even the predecessor of Gen.Singh too held the same opinion and it was their stiff opposition to the idea that the Government had to postpone the plan of repeaiing or amending the Act.Well Gen.Singh does not seem to be wrong when he blamed politicians for demanding repeal or amendment to the Act for their narrow political gains.This is evident when the opposition PDP has been trying to extend its areas of influence in Jammu and Kashmir state,especially in the muslim dominated valley,by demanding withdrawal of troops and the AFSPA.Finding that the Mufti's slogan has been cutting much ice in the valley Chief Minister,Omar Abdullah,had no other alternative but to adopt the Mufti's line.Yes,there have been several cases of human rights violations by the security forces,including the
troops,in the state.yes,the killing of three youths in a fake encounter in north Kashmir has been one of the main reasons which forced politicians,including the separatists,to demand withdrawal of troops and the repeal of the AFSPA.The tempers on the issue ran so high that political leaders in Kashmir stated that the matter pertaining to the repeal of the AFSPA or its amendment has to be decided not by the Army but by the Political leadership in the country.One thing is certain that the Congress led UPA Government cannot sideline the Army authorities while taking a decision on the controversial issue.The Army authorities have to be taken into confidence and their nod was necessary for amending or withdrawing the AFSPA.If the Government gives weightage only to Omar or the Mufti it could invite problems for it because there are fears that in the absence of any legal protection the security forces may be forced to be on the defensive which could
leave a
free space for militants to operate.In the recent days some youths were killed in police firing and teargassing.It raises one question.Would have these killings been avoided if the AFSPA was not in force in Kashmir?
Were not protesting youths got killed between 1988 and 1989,when militancy raised its head in Kashmir,in police firing and when AFSPA was not in force ?Yes many youths were killed in police firing prior to the enforcement of AFSPA.Atleast nine people were killed in police firing when they were protesting in Srinagar against the execution of Pakistan Prime Minister Z.A.Bhutto in 1979.At that time there was no AFSPA in force in Kashmir.If it has been enforced since 1990 it has been done to enable the security forces and the troops to carry out operations against the militants and the separatists without seeking prior permission from the state civil authorities.If some excesses have taken place in Kashmir one should not blame the tools(AFSPA) but the hand that holds the tools.And the Government has already initiated legal and administarive measures against those suspected to be involved in human rights violations
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