Jammu, Aug 18: Ruling out revocation of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) at this point of time, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday that he has asked security forces to exercise “maximum restraint’’ so as to avoid civilian casualties.
 Talking to the media during his visit to historic Royal Palace at Mubrak Mandi here today, Omar said: “There is no question of the AFSPA getting revoked at this point of time. We are looking, however, to remove certain areas from the purview of this Act since militancy has become a thing of the past. We are looking to identify such areas both within Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley.’’
 “At the same time, we are also pursuing with Delhi the possibility of amending AFSPA by taking out draconian components so as to make it a humane Act. This is an ongoing process,’’ he added.
 Referring to the cycle of protests going on in the Valley for the over two months, he said: “the situation in the valley is worrisome and hoped that the measures taken by his government to break cycle of violence would yield results.”
 “I have given strict instructions to my security forces to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with crowds so that there is no loss of life. Over a period of time when there is no loss of life, people will gradually switch to normalcy,” he added.
 When asked about the reports of militants being present among the protesters and opening fire on security forces, Omar said: “I have asked them to exercise restraint even if the crowd opens fire. It is most likely they may even hit a civilian who is not carrying arms.”
 “The situation in Kashmir has been a matter of concern for all of us and the government is making all efforts to restore law and order and normalcy,” he added.
 About the National Conference’s demand for autonomy to the state, the chief minister ruled out any amendment in its autonomy document. However, making it clear that the party is not taking an extreme position on it as well, he said this was only the starting point for them for holding talks with the Centre. “Let us begin talks and, during the course of it, see what can be mutually agreeable,’’ he said.
 Omar also made it clear that it was not feasible to pursue the single-track of autonomy with the Centre. He said: “It was more important to look at internal autonomy within the regions and sub-regions so as to dispel any impression between regions of getting discriminated at the hands of each other,’’ he said, adding that this can be possible only with the devolution of powers between them as soon as possible. “A beginning in this direction can be done with the holding of Panchayat elections followed by local body polls in the state,’’ he pointed out.
 Omar also ridiculed the Dukhtaran-e-Millat leader, Asiya Andrabi for seeking an Indian passport for her son so as to enable him to pursue studies abroad. “Is it not the act of hypocrisy? She is seeking an Indian passport for her son to send him abroad for higher studies while provoking the children in Kashmir Valley to come on roads,” Omar said. 
 “The separatists are applying double-standards as they have sent their children to foreign countries for studies but in Kashmir they are spoiling the future of youth,” he added.
 Earlier, chief minister during his day-log visit to Jammu reviewed the security, law and order situation at a high level meeting here attended by the senior officers from Army, BSF, CRPF, J&K Police, CID, IB, SB and Divisional Administration.
 The Chief Minister took brief about various aspects of security scenario and law and order situation in the division.
 GOC 16 Corps, Lt. Gen. Rameshwar Roy, GOC 26 Infantry Division, Major Gen JPS Waraich, IG BSF, S Chatto, IG CRPF, AS Sidhu, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwarl, IG Jammu, Ashok Gupta, Deputy Director IB Anurag Kumar, representative of SB, Tilak Debsher, DIG Jammu, Farooq Khan, DIG CID, Jammu and various SSPs were present in the meeting.

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