Thaindian News

Jammu, Nov 10 (IANS) Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Thursday strongly backed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s call to lift the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some parts of the state — a demand which is being opposed by the Army.

Talking to mediapersons here, Azad, who is also a former chief minister, said: “The matter (of dealing with AFSPA) should be left entirely to the wisdom of the chief minister and (union) Home Minister P. Chidambram.”

“This will send good signal both nationally and internationally,” he added.

Strongly backing Omar, Azad said: “If even after 20 years we are not able to lift AFSPA from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir, then what are we doing all this time.”

While Chidambram and Omar Abdullah appear to be on the same page on the matter of lifting AFSPA from some areas “where it is not required”, the army is opposed to the move saying that militancy was not area-specific and any dilution of the law would handicap it in dealing with the situation.

Abdullah had announced at a function in the Kashmir Valley last month that AFSPA would be lifted from some parts of the state in a few days.

Despite the army voicing concern against lifting of AFSPA even from some parts of the state, the chief minister Thursday reiterated his stand on AFSPA saying he has asked panels formed last year to speed up their recommendations.

Two panels consisting of the state police chief, the home secretary along with the commanders of the army’s 15 and 16 Corps (Srinagar and Jammu, respectively) were constituted to study the status of AFSPA .