Atiya Mujeeb
Srinagar, June 13: Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir should be the first region to benefit if the Centre decides to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from any part of the country.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Srinagar, Wani said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved considerably over the years and that the people expect a review of extraordinary laws in view of the changing circumstances.
He said the government hopes that whenever a decision is taken regarding the rollback of AFSPA, Jammu and Kashmir should be given priority. According to him, such a move would boost public confidence and further strengthen the atmosphere of peace and normalcy in the region.
AFSPA was extended to Jammu and Kashmir in 1990 after the region was declared a “disturbed area” amid rising militancy. The law grants special powers to the armed forces, including the authority to conduct searches, make arrests without warrants and use force under specific circumstances during counter-insurgency operations.
Over the years, the Act has remained a subject of intense political debate in Jammu and Kashmir. While security agencies argue that AFSPA is necessary to deal with militancy and maintain law and order, several political parties and civil society groups have consistently demanded its repeal, citing improvements in the security situation and concerns over civil liberties.
