Chidambaram, Antony need to concur on AFSPA: Khurshid
October 25th, 2011 - 7:44 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Differences in the central government over withdrawing the special powers for the armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir came out in the open Tuesday, with Law Minister Salman Khurshid saying Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Defence Minister A.K. Antony needed to concur on the issue.
He also said the Indian Army has to be taken on board before any decision can be taken on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives the defence forces unfettered powers to deal with terrorism and which critics say results in rights violations.
“The home minister and the defence minister should first concur on the issue and the army should be taken on board before a final decision can be taken (on AFSPA withdrawal),” Khurshid told reporters here.
His comments come in the wake of Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s comments last week that “with gradual improvement in the security situation and return of peace, some laws like AFSPA are being removed from some areas within the next few days”.
Khurshid said the chief minister may have “compelling reasons” to address the aspirations of the people of the state for pushing for the withdrawal of the special law, which has been in force in the state for more than 21 years.
Abdullah’s remarks, some quarters feel, came after his discussions with Chidambaram last week.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju said the government was examining the demand for withdrawal of AFSPA at the highest level.
However, Raju said he thought the special law was “needed for the forces to function in some very, very difficult times.”
“What the chief minister is asking for is lifting AFSPA from some areas, where there are more peaceful conditions. But I am sure the government and the (defence) ministry will take a balanced view on that,” he added.
Highly placed official sources have said that Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra will have a final say in deciding whether special powers to the armed forces in Kashmir are to be revoked from some areas and when.
- Omar for denotifying disturbed areas in Kashmir - Dec 02, 2011
- Omar meets Antony on AFSPA ahead of state cabinet meet - Nov 13, 2011
- Revoking AFSPA will aid Kashmir terror groups: Army chief - Jan 01, 2012
- Omar briefs cabinet on Delhi talks on AFSPA - Nov 24, 2011
- Antony reviews security situation - Nov 15, 2011
- Indian Army chief meets Omar Adbullah on AFSPA - Nov 15, 2011
- Omar disagrees with army chief on special powers act - Jan 02, 2012
- Omar briefs governor on AFSPA meetings - Nov 16, 2011
- Need to remove AFSPA from parts of Kashmir: Omar - Nov 09, 2011
- Army being made scapegoat in Jammu and Kashmir: Pallam Raju - Sep 21, 2010
- Azad backs Omar on AFSPA's partial removal - Nov 10, 2011
- Cabinet discusses AFSPA, reviews situation in Kashmir - Oct 27, 2011
- Omar speaks to Chidambaram about AFSPA removal - Nov 09, 2011
- AFSPA shadow on Jammu Unified Command meet - Nov 04, 2011
- AFSPA: Omar meets PM, Chidambaram; no time limit, says Antony - Nov 15, 2011
Tags: afspa, antony, central government, chief minister, dateline, defence forces, defence minister, defence ministry, difficult times, final decision, home minister, indian army, jammu and kashmir, kashmir, law minister, minister of state, p chidambaram, pallam raju, security situation, vohra