Imprudent to lift AFSPA for political reasons: BJP

Batting for continuation of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Saturday said when the security forces are in favour of retention of the law, it would be "highly imprudent" to argue for its withdrawal on political considerations.

Batting for continuation of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Saturday said when the security forces are in favour of retention of the law, it would be "highly imprudent" to argue for its withdrawal on political considerations.

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"...It would, therefore, be politically more prudent for the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir (Omar Abdullah) not to initiate a debate at a stage when circumstances still warrant the continuation of the operation of the law (Armed forces Special Powers Act)," Jaitley said.

He said one hopes that a situation does emerge in future where the applicability of this law is either not necessary or is restricted only to some areas.

"That situation does not seem to have arrived as yet. The withdrawal of this law would leave the administration of the unprotected districts only in the hands of the local police and thus incentivizing the separatist and violent groups to increase their activities in these areas," he said in an article put on BJP website.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said in case the protection provided by central para military forces and the Army is withdrawn, it would empower various vested interests to prosecute officials of these forces indiscriminately.

"Obviously, this would disincentivise personnel of these forces from taking adequate steps against separatist groups," he said adding when security forces are in favour of retention of this law, "it would be highly imprudent to allow anyone to seriously argue that political considerations require that this law be withdrawn or its enforcement be restricted only to certain areas."