Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday pledged to take the demand of withdrawing of contentious Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act to its logical conclusion. “I believe the line we have taken is based on logic not on emotions. I intend to pursue it to its logical conclusion,” he told reporters at a function held in Jammu in connection with completion of three years of the National Conference-Congress coalition government.
Replying questions, Mr Abdullah said he believed there was a rightful case for gradual withdrawal of AFSPA from those areas where Army has not been operating for years. The Army has openly opposed the idea of “weakening” much less withdrawing the AFSPA on the premise it would provide sanctuaries to separatist militants and terrorists in areas where it is actually withdrawn. Mr Abdullah disagrees even though the defence ministry is backing the Army on the issue.
The chief minister in spite of the Army’s opposition and criticism by some political parties particularly BJP said, “I’m certain of my position that I have taken now and as earlier.” Last week, he had said that the law will go within his tenure as the CM. When asked when exactly, Mr Abdullah said, “It is not a question of coming years. I intend to pursue in the coming weeks and months.” Reacting to some reports suggesting the issue has been put on the back burner, he said, “The issue is not the back burner. Just because it is not being talked about does not mean that it is not being pursued”.