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| AFSPA revocation may ''revive'' militancy in South of Pir Panjal | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, July 2: While the PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir is giving ''due consideration'' to revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as per ''Agenda of Alliance'' from ''peaceful'' areas in South of Pir Panjal but as per defence experts, withdrawal of Act may ''revive'' militancy in these areas.
AFSPA revocation was one of the major demands of successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The present dispensation is considering on revocation of AFSPA from the "peaceful" areas in South of Pir Panjal but if it happens, it will not be in the interest of the state with context to security scenario," a defence expert here said.
Presently the districts in the South of Pir Panjal are declared "militancy free" but revocation of AFSPA, may bring back the days of early 90s when the militancy was at its peak in the region.
"If forces have to be withdrawn from the residential and populated areas, then instead of shifting them outside, they can further be deployed in the hinterland along the Line of Control," they added.
Experts however, are of opinion that either it is North or South of Pir Panjal, situation is not conducive, to even give a thought on revoking the Act.
"With Army not allowing the foreign mercenaries, to reach to the populated areas and eliminating them successfully along the LoC while infiltrating, the top commanders of militant outfits are engaging local youth into the militancy to achieve their targets," they asserted.
Experts further said that local youth in Kashmir is being lured and misguided by the 'aakas' operating across the border and they are recruiting the young minds to get their tasks accomplished.
"As long as there is militancy, AFSPA cannot be revoked. It is not a question of peaceful or non-peaceful areas but the Act cannot be withdrawn till militancy existing in the state," Brigadier (retired) Anil Gupta here said.
He said that AFSPA provides special powers to the Armed Forces and it cannot be taken away, adding, "there are no special powers to the Army and the soldiers like police is having but the Act provides them so, which are helpful."
"If no AFSPA is required then it means no Army is required and if Army is required, definitely, Act has to remain intact wherever the Army is established," said the retired Army Officer.
On areas close to the National Highway falling under locations identified to revoke AFSPA, he said, "it is not only for the Army, but everybody required the highways, the road connectivity as it provides logistic support and acts as a lifeline."
Meanwhile sources said that 2 to 3 committees on defence/ home affairs, have already visited the South of Pir Panjal and conducted survey to ascertain the situation on ground.
"The teams had made several visits in these areas and after studying situation on ground, interacting people, reviewing border management and holding threadbare discussions with the Army, Police and other security agencies, have reportedly submitted a report to the Centre on AFSPA," sources said.
They further added that with the arrest of four youths while ex-filtrating to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir yesterday have raised the eyebrows of the security agencies.
"The traditional and un-traditional routes in Poonch and Rajouri districts, are once again being used by the elements ex-filtrating to PoK for arms training and it is not a healthy sign for the days to come in South Pir Panjal belt," sources added.
They said that youth from Kashmir, through Mughal Road are reaching to these locations to cross over to PoK for weapons training in the camps still intact there, adding, "the 'most wanted' militant Burhaan, who is reportedly hiding in the Kashmir Valley, is operating the movement and crossing over of "mis-guided" youth to the PoK."
"Keeping in view the present scenario along the LoC and new trend of ex-filtrating emerging, government should not even think on AFSPA revocation in South of Pir Panjal as it can revive the militancy thus further worsening the security situation, which is already running "out of control" in the Kashmir valley," sources asserted. |
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