Sheeri (Baramulla), Dec 19: Blaming the Army for scuttling partial revocation of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that while certain quarters in New Delhi favored revocation of the Law but the Army is vehemently opposing the move.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organised in connection with the passing-out parade of around 900 police recruits at police training college here, Omar said it is now clear that Army is the only hurdle in the revocation of AFSPA from J&K. “I had gathered support from certain quarters in New Delhi for AFSPA revocation from some pockets of state, but Army scuttled the move,” he said and added that in J&K there are some areas where Army has no operational role now. “I want that law must go from those areas,” Omar said.
At the same time Chief Minister said that he will not give up on his efforts to get the AFSPA revoked at least partially. “Its revocation will not take place overnight. I am making and will continue to make my efforts for the withdrawal of AFSPA from some areas of the state,” he said.
About the two recent infant deaths in District Hospital Baramulla, Omar said that guilty will be punished at any cost. “A nurse has been terminated from service and some people were suspended. Investigations are going on and those found guilty would be taken to task,” he said and the hospital might be having some staff shortage, but it was fully equipped and such deaths are unfortunate.
Omar said unfortunately there is salary disparity in various services including health. “The employees who are working in urban areas are being paid more than those who perform their duties in rural areas,” Chief Minister said and added the matter was once discussed in a cabinet meeting but no decision was taken to remove the same.
Replying to a question about the recently concluded Gujarat Assembly elections, Omar said the results of these polls should not be seen as a reflection on the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
He said opinion polls can be wrong at times and things will be clear once the results are declared.
Earlier while addressing the police pass-outs Chief Minister said that excellent police-public relation holds key to law and order and curbing crimes in the society.
“JKP is emerging as one of the best forces in the country. The bravery and sacrifices of Police for the State and its people are praiseworthy,” Omar said and added that JKP has never backtracked at time of duty.
He said that police has to tackle militancy and to maintain law and order in state. “Both the duties are of different nature. Other than that police has to ensure normal policing to restrict crimes,” he said and appreciated the role of police.
Chief Minister said Police force had to be fully trained and equipped to face these challenges in a befitting manner.
Felicitating the pass-outs, Chief Minister advised them to make justice, honesty and people-friendly attitude benchmark of their service.
Without naming anybody, Omar said that some politicians are trying to disrupt the brotherhood. “Recently some vested interests tried to divide the people in parts of old city for their gains,” he said and asked the cops to apply mind rightfully and use least force while dealing with such situations.
Director General Police, Ashok Prasad, Additional Director General Police, Law and Order, K Rajindra and Principal Police STC Sheeri, Fareed Ahmad also addressed the pass-outs.
DGP in his address said that six Police Training Centres and Police Academy in the State are being upgraded to impart best training to the State police force to make it one of the best forces in the country. He said police is the guardian of law and order and Jammu and Kashmir Police has rich tradition of exhibiting bravery and commitment to their duty.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST