Srinagar, Apr 25 (KNS): Following the revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in Meghalaya and partially in Arunachal Pradesh, the opposition political parties here said that the government should take measures to revoke AFSPA from the state as it claim normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
National Conference (NC) Provincial president, Nasir Aslam Wani told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the government is claiming that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir not too bad and things are under their control then they should take steps to revoke AFSPA from the state.
“Besides, revocation of AFSPA was in the agenda of alliance of the current regime but they have failed to fulfill their every single promise,” he said.
He said that when they were in rule they always pitched for revocation of AFSPA from those areas where the situation remained peaceful. “If the government claim normalcy in the state then they should take the call to revoke the law in the state,” he added.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, G A Mir while talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that the PDP has forged an alliance with BJP on the ground that they will take several steps including removal of AFSPA but from last three years, the BJP is categorically rejecting the issue, saying that there is no question of removal of AFSPA.
He said that the people were betrayed by the PDP by promising several things and doing nothing on the ground. “It is upto to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti now to take an initiative in this regard to ensure removal of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Mir further stated that the Congress won’t object in case the government would take call in this regard.
Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) chairman and MLA Khansahib, Hakeem Muhammad Yasin also echoed the similar views, saying that the government should revoke the law if they feel they situation is normal in the State. “The government should revoke that law so that the harassment to the people and other atrocities would end,” he said, adding that the decision would help in improving the situation further.
Earlier, reports quoting officials in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that AFSPA was withdrawn from Meghalaya and its area of operation in Arunachal Pradesh has been restricted to eight police stations bordering Assam and three districts adjoining Myanmar.
Among the eight Northeast states, AFSPA is now applicable only in Nagaland, Manipur (excluding Imphal), Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Mizoram and Tripura reported no incidents of insurgency in 2017, the officials said. (KNS)