AFSPA completes 25 years in Kashmir

In vogue since 1990, the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) Sunday completed 25 years in Jammu and Kashmir amid voices that the Act should go from the State.

A number of civil society groups and separatist leaders have been voicing concern that AFSPA should be revoked from the State as it is “a license to army soldiers to kill innocent civilians and get away with it.”

The Army, on the other hand, has put its foot down that the Act cannot be allowed to go.

During the previous National Conference-Congress regime, the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah repeatedly said the Act will go in his tenure. However, it didn’t happen, with Omar blaming “resistance from Army” in getting the Act revoked.

The present Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed has also talked about revocation of AFSPA from parts of Jammu and Kashmir “where there have been no incidents of violence in the past few years.”

Sayeed had reportedly discussed the issue with top military commanders who are part of the Unified Command at a dinner meeting.

Legal expert Zafar Ahmad Shah said there is urgent need to revoke the law. “The earlier it is revoked, better it is for the growth of democracy,” he said.

He said it is a sad day to recognize that AFSPA continues to be in operation in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is time to recall and remember sacrifices of our people who suffered in these 25 years because of AFSPA.  It is murderous law,” he said.

Shah said last 25 years are replete with instances where prosecution of armed forces guilty of serious crimes was denied under the cover of AFSPA. “This law can only be celebrated by armed forces who enjoy complete immunity under it,” he said.

National Conference said it has been formally advocating that this act must go. “This demand is on the basis of very drastic reduction of armed violence in JK. AFSPA intended to give legal immunity in worst phases of militancy. That phase is gone now. Cases like Pathribal and Machil are a best example where law couldn’t take a call as AFSPA was the main hurdle,” said JunaidMatoo, NC spokesman.

Peoples Democratic Party youth leader, Waheed Para said that AFSPA will go during the tenure of PDP-BJP government. “It will be scrapped,” he said.

BJP’s spokesman, Khalid Jehangir said “militancy will go, AFSPA will naturally go.”