Need to relook at AFSPA-like laws, says Kamal Nath

In a significant development, urban development minister Kamal Nath has voiced his support for a relook at certain controversial and prevailing laws in the Northeast such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

In a significant statement, urban development minister Kamal Nath has voiced his support for a relook at certain controversial and prevailing laws in the Northeast like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

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"We need to look at these laws again. What purpose they are serving? Whether there are any oppressive tendencies? What was okay some years back may not be relevant now," Nath said.

"There needs to be an one-time bold policy of political and administrative reorganisation and consolidation," the minister said while responding to journalist Sanjoy Hazarika's assertion that while some prevailing laws may be legal they may not be just.

Nath's statement is significant in the backdrop of the Jan 28 assembly polls in Manipur.

AFSPA is a controversial law that enables security forces to shoot at sight and arrest anybody without a warrant in 'disturbed' areas of Northeast India and Jammu and Kashmir.

In J and K, chief minister Omar Abdullah has been raising the issue of partial withdrawal of the AFSPA citing return of normalcy, a move which has seen some support from the home ministry. However the defence ministry has been strongly opposing the move.

In Manipur, Noted activist Irom Sharmila has been fasting for the last 11 years demanding scrapping of this law.

Nath, speaking at a function to celebrate the 115th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, also expressed concern about the 'end use' of development funds allotted to the Northeast.

"Funds are earmarked but what is the end-use? Are we deriving the maximum benefits from the funds allotted? It is a fact and a matter of concern," he said.