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| PM evasive on Omar's demand for AFSPA amendment | | | It did not take Prime Minister,Manmohan Singh, much time for dishing out assurance to Chief Minister,Omar Abdullah,regarding central Government's willingness and prepardness for releasing additional funds for various development schemes,especially in the power sector. Prime Minister was hghly impressed over the power-point presentation on the development needs and on various challenges being faced by the state. But the Prime Minister was evasive as far as Omar's demand for the amendment,if not repeal,of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was concerned.Well Omar argued the case like a seasoned lawyer but could not secure any firm commitment from Manmohan Singh who is known for being very shrewd.The Prime Minister had his limitations because any commitment on the repeal or amendment to AFSPA could kick up a storm.For withdrawal of troops or for repealing or amending the AFSPA approval from the Army authorities was required.At one stage the
Union Home Ministry had displayed its favour for withdrawal of troops and for the repeal of AFSPA but the move was dropped after it was opposed by the Army authorities and the Ministry of defence on the plea that troops needed some legal cover while carrying out counter insurgency operations. As far as the basic demand of the state leaders,irrespective of political affiliations is concerned the Prime Minister pacified the ruffled feelings of these leaders by telling them that human rights violations could not be tolerated.And those found in commiting excesses would be penalised.This was substantiated by the action the Defence Ministry took against two senior officers who were alleged to have been involved in the fale encounter at Machil in which three innocent civilians were killed.What is appreciable on the part of the Prime Minister was the balance he maintained while condemning human rights violations on one hand and praising the Army and the
security forces for the job they were doing in Jammu and Kashmir.It seems that Manmohan Singh was so much impressed by the innocent visage of the Chief Minister that he(prime Minister) did not go dep into the circumstances that led to the tardy utilisation of the Rs.31,000 crore Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme.During the last six years not more than 25 per cent of the total ammount has been utilised.This way out of Rs.31,000 crores the Government had been able to spend Rs.8,000 crores.And still Omar had the face to seek additional funds from the Prime Minister for carrying out reforms in the power sector and for taking in hand various other development projects which could ensure increase in Job avenues.Reports indicate that Omar Abdullah has decided not to give up his demand for the repeal of amendment to the AFSPA because he has fears that once the draconian law was either scrapped or made more humane the PDP could take credit for
it.While Omar Abdullah has been in favour of restoration of greater autonomy the PDP has been harping on the implementation of the self-rule.It is a race of ideas and strategies between the National Conference leadership and that of the PDP.The Prime Minister could take liberties with the National Conference leadership because the latter continues to bank on the goodwill of the Congress led UPA Government.The National Conference leadership cannot afford to be as challening in its approach as it has been between 1977 and 1983 because once the National Conference starts dictating terms to the Congress the latter has the option for joining hands with the PDP.Had not the PDP adopted tough postures on the land diversion to the Amarnath Shrine Board the PDP-Congress coalition Government would have been installed again in Jammu and Kashmir after the 2008 Assembly election results.(eom)
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