AFSPA to be Phased Out From Srinagar, Kathua on a Trial Basis?

Among the issues on which the PDP wants the Centre to take steps, is the revocation of AFSPA.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti met BJP leader Ram Madhav during the latter’s brief visit to Srinagar. (Photo: Reuters)

BJP leader Ram Madhav held formal talks with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti while on a brief visit to Srinagar. Madhav may have conveyed to Mufti the Centre’s willingness to lift the 1958 Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) on a trial basis from Jammu and Kashmir, a source-based report in The Times of India indicates.

Madhav also spoke about handing over two power projects in an attempt to end the 40-day deadlock over government formation.

The PDP wanted the Centre to take steps include revocation of AFSPA, dialogue with separatists in the state, sanctioning two smart cities for Jammu and Kashmir and return of power projects to the state.

Revoke AFSPA: NC

A day after the advocated continuance of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling National Conference (NC) said on Tuesday that the controversial law had lost its relevance and ought to be phased out within a stipulated timeframe.

National Conference is of the opinion that AFSPA has lost its relevance. The law has achieved what it was meant for in the first few years after its implementation in 1990. AFSPA should be phased out and that too in a time-bound manner. 

<b>Mustafa Kamal, Additional General Secretary, NC</b>

He added that there was no justification for the continuation of AFSPA.

The Prime Minister has himself supported the view that militancy has gone down in the state. The Chief Minister has said there has been a lot of improvement in the situation and the footprint of the Army needs to be lessened.

<b>Mustafa Kamal</b>