Day after Rajnath's no to AFSPA, PDP calls it 'draconian' | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
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Day after Rajnath's no to AFSPA, PDP calls it 'draconian'

Hindustan Times | ByPeerzada Ashiq, Srinagar
Jul 04, 2015 09:07 AM IST

A day after Union home minister Rajnath Singh ruled out revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), ruling coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) termed it "draconian".

A day after Union home minister Rajnath Singh ruled out revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), ruling coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) termed it "draconian".

"It does not behove a democratic country like India to have a draconian law like AFSPA exist in any part," said PDP spokesperson Mehboob Beg in Srinagar.

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Welcoming the recent observations made by the international rights group Amnesty International, which sought AFSPA's revocation given the injustice faced by the victims, Beg said, "It is a vindication of the PDP's stand on the issue."

He appealed to the Union government to consider the recommendations made by Amnesty International in its report based on detailed fact finding.

The AFSPA, in vogue in Kashmir since 1990, gives sweeping powers and impunity to the armed forces during anti-militant drives, leading to civilian killings without accountability many a time.

The Act remains a bone of contention between the ruling coalition partners, the BJP and the PDP.

The two parties though in the 'Agenda of Alliance', a common minimum programme agreed upon by the two, have promised to look at the Disturbed Area Act to start process of phased revocation of AFSPA from the state, only after taking New Delhi into confidence.

The Congress on Friday said the difference of opinion on AFSPA between PDP and BJP has "exposed the so-called common minimum programme of coalition government."

"PDP's commitment with people on the issue has proved a hoax," said Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief GA Mir.
"The contradiction has alienated the people of all the three regions. The PDP, which has failed on every count, has also sacrificed their core agenda for the sake of power," alleged Mir.

He castigated Union home minister for his AFSPA remarks and sought clarity from the Centre with regard to meaningful dialogue process.

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