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| On AFSPA lifting BJP PDP not on same page | | | Though the enforcement of the AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir has been a 25- year old story,the debate on its revocation or on its partial withdrawal has not ended during the last about 10 years. In fact between 2008 and 2014 the National Conference,which shared power with the Congress for about six years,has been vocal while demanding either revocation of the AFSPA or its partial withdrawal. At one stage Omar Abdullah, during the time headed the coalition Government, demanded that the AFSPA be withdrawn from those five districts in the state where the level of militancy related violence had touched zero.And the PDP leadership has been trying to emulate Omar Abdullah by making strong pleas for withdrawal of the AFSPA.And the recent report from the Amnesty International, in which the international body has supported the demand for revocation of the AFSPA,has come handy for the PDP leadership to seek review of the issue so that the draconian law was revoked. It was exactly 25 years ago, on July 5, 1990 Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was enforced in Jammu and Kashmir. Though the political parties are not celebrating the 25th birth anniversary of the Act,they are demanding its revocation.
The debate on the issue has assumed the dimensions of a conflict between mainstream political parties,the PDP , the National Conference and the Army authorities because the latter has not been in favour of its abrogation or revocation. What seems to have come handy for the PDP to raise again its demand for withdrawal of the AFSPA is the report released by the Amnesty International in which It strongly demanded the revocation of AFSPA keeping in view the rights violations being committed under its cover.The PDP spokesman,Dr Mehboob Beg,has said that the Amnesty International report on AFSPA has vindicated the stand of the PDP on the issue.However,the BJP has resented the PDP's support for the revocation of the AFSPA.The party President,Jugal Kishore Sharma has stated that the situation was not conducive for the revocation of the AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir.He has urged politicians not to seek political advantage by demanding withdrawal of the AFSPA for which the centre was to finalise its decision in consultation with the security agencies.
The Army authorities continue to oppose revocation of the AFSPA because of new threat perceptions emerging from across the border and from within the state.The changed face of militancy in the Kashmir Valley has led the Army to "completely review" its anti-infiltration and counter-insurgency strategies to tackle among other things the growing trend of youths, even educated ones, gravitating towards militant outfits.
The likely attempts from across the border to again push in militants are also being factored by the Army in its new approach. The Army has not taken the report lightly which has indicated that nearly 50 boys have joined militant ranks this year.The Army authorities do not feel worried over the number of militants operating within the state or the number that is waiting on the launch pads across the border for infiltrating into Jammu and Kashmir but what seems to have upset these functionaries is the report indicating that under a new trend Kashmiri boys were trying to enroll themselves in militant outfits.This,if unchecked,may provide new and alarming dimensions to the 25-year long insurgency that has been sponsored by Pakistan.Yes,the Army functionaries and those politicians who oppose revocation of the AFSPA are correct because the situation in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be fluid with a bigger mischief on other side of the LOC and the IB in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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