This refers to statement that Government is trying to build a consensus to amend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives the armed forces legal immunity for their actions. New Delhi may be thinking of revisiting AFSPA but “one needs to build a consensus within the government before amendments can be brought before parliament.” We have been hearing this since 2010 when repeated calls for AFSPA revocation were made in Kashmir. Even many civil society activists in India supported the idea then. But the Government playing delayed the move just to defuse the public outcry that time. Now it is again coming up with an excuse on amendments. New Delhi doesn’t seem to be interested in amending the Act. And that is why it is delaying the amendments by citing one reason or the other. There has been a lot of hue and cry over the revocation of the Act that security forces to shoot at sight and arrest anybody without a warrant if an area is declared disturbed. It is applicable only in Jammu and Kashmir and in the northeastern states. If New Delhi is serious in amending the act, it must ensure quick consensus on the issue. The state government should also convene unified command to review the application of Disturbed Areas Act.
Qaisar Khan
Kellar Shopian

Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST