Srinagar, June 26: Sharply reacting to the Army Chief, Gen V K Singh’s latest statement on AFSPA, Jammu and Kashmir Law Minister and senior National Conference leader Ali Muhammad Sagar termed it as unfortunate.
Sagar said the Army chief’s criticism shouldn’t have been aimed at the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir.  He said while the Defence and the Home Ministers of the country talk about incorporating certain amendments in AFSPA, it seems the Army chief’s remarks are aimed at them. He said the stand of his party was clear on the issue. “The political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly NC has principled stand on AFSPA,” he said.
 Opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said it has become routine now with the armed forces to dish out political statements. She said earlier politically loaded statements would never come from Army. “Previously when the Army had any reservation they would convey it to the political leadership. But now the armed forces go public with statements on every sensitive issue,” she said and described the trend as unfortunate. She said such proclamations further fuel the anger and alienation in the people here.
 Pertinently, Army’s northern Command Chief Lt General BS Jaswal, had on June 14, termed AFSPA as a holy book for the armed forces, evoking prickly criticism from the state’s political parties.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST