Refuting the arguments of the Centre and the J&K government, the Army Chief, Gen. V.K. Singh, rallying behind the contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, said the “AFSPA is a misunderstood act and all who ask for its dilution/withdrawal probably do so for narrow political gains”. He then added: “We (read Army) are clear in the subject that soldiers operating in hostile environments need legal protection to ensure that they perform their task efficiently.”
The home minister had said in Itanagar on April 3: “There was a statement by the Prime Minister that he will take steps to replace the AFSPA with a more humane law. Following that, the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee was appointed. That committee has made certain recommendations. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission has also made some recommendations. Considering all the recommendations, the ministry of home affairs has finalised its view and has submitted a note to the Cabinet.”
The J&K state human rights commission has also been raising its voice against the alleged “misuse” of the act by “some officers and troops with vested interest”.
The government has been planning to amend the AFSPA, which has been controversial since its promulgation in 1958. It gives shoot-at-sight powers to the armed forces in “disturbed” areas and virtually provides Army officers with immunity from prosecution.
Gen. Singh, speaking to the defence journal, however, said that “insurgency-related incidents have shown a downward trend in all Northeast states other than Manipur”. He also claimed that the “insurgency in the Northeast is no longer ideologically driven”. For him, “these fringe outfits thrive on extortion, smuggled arms and the muted response of the populace”.
The Army for the record said the Army Chief has been referring to the context of local politics and separatist movements.