'Centre's plans for AFSPA revocation, troops pullback from J&K under consideration

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the Centre will consider revoking Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Jammu and Kashmir.

In an interview with the JK Media Group, Shah also said the government has plans to pull back troops from the Union Territory (UT).

“We have plans to pull back troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir police was not trusted but today they are leading the operations,” he said.

On the controversial AFSPA, the Home Minister said: “We will also think of revoking AFSPA.”

The AFSPA gives the armed forces personnel, operating in the disturbed areas, sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for “the maintenance of public order”.

An area or district is notified as disturbed under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces.

Shah had earlier said the AFSPA has been removed in 70 per cent areas in the northeastern states even though it is in force in the border territory of J&K.

There have been demands from various organisations and individuals in J&K and the northeastern states to revoke the AFSPA.

Shah said the Assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir before September.

“Enshrining democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise and it will be fulfilled. However, this democracy will not be confined to three families alone and will be a people’s democracy,” he said.