After dramatically proposing that the state government would amend J-K’s Criminal Procedure Code to provide legal protection to the army in the absence of AFSPA, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that there was no such plan in works. CM has also clarified that he doesn’t want to replace a temporary law with a permanent legislation, assuring also that the government would take on board the concerns being expressed by various quarters on the issue. This should now put to rest the political storm that was threatening to build up over the proposed move. Omar’s decision to put on hold the modification to CrPC is therefore welcome. The changes would have ensured that the personnel responsible for excesses didn’t stand trial even in peaceful times. However, we are now back to square one. Scene has once again shifted to the Omar-army disagreement on the issue. Army’s opposition continues to be implacable, while CM has been pursuing his accomodationist approach. However, with the CM’s latest proposal running up against a political backlash in Valley, forcing him to immediately junk it, the road for further headway on the issue seems to have been closed. Meanwhile army has chosen to adopt silence. There has been no effort on the part of the defence ministry to break the deadlock. No suggestion has come forward from either the defence minister A K Antony or the senior army commanders which can serve as an indication that things are moving forward.  People in the Valley expect that the security forces also come up with constructive proposals that help advance the cause of the partial lifting of the AFSPA from some areas in the state least troubled by the violence. The Valley has a direct stake in such a withdrawal, having been at the receiving end of the excesses of the law over the past two decades. So it is in the interest of all to think over the matter as a necessary imperative for peace in the state.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST