Srinagar:
The deadlock between the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the question of revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain areas in the state is showing no sign of a quick resolution.
By firmly backing the Army's stand, Defence minister AK Antony may have further delayed Mr Abdullah's wish to revoke AFSPA from select areas in Jammu and Kashmir.
"After discussions last year (unclear) took a decision... leave it to the unified command in Kashmir...to take a decision on this question of partially lifting the Act... so as far as we are concerned we have left it to the unified command in Kashmir," Mr Antony had said.
The Defence Minister's statement came right after Mr Abdullah had asserted that he was fully authorised to lift the act from the areas he wished.
"No, I do have the authority. The elected state government of any state has got the authority. In this case the authority rests with the Governor, who would act on the basis of recommendation from the state government. That was further cemented by what the cabinet committee on security has said, and also what the union Home Minister has said even in recent media interviews. So I don't think it is anybody's case, least of all the Army's that the state government doesn't have the authority," Mr Abdullah had said.
Army sources, however, pointed out that the Unified Command is basically a consultative body where all security matters are discussed but without consensus or at least a general agreement between all stakeholders, no decision can be implemented. This was stand endorsed by Mr Antony on Friday.
The Army's objections to the proposed revocation stems purely from a long-term perspective although everyone agrees that 2011 has been an exceptionally peaceful summer.
"AFSPA is an enabling act to counter terrorists operations. It has also to be seen in context of the proxy war. Pakistan continues to have its proxy infrastructure. Until we remove the terrorists fully, it's not time to partially revoke the AFSPA" said Lt. General KT Parnaik, Commander of the Northern Army.
The Army also says people in rural areas do not bother much about the politics of the Act...all that they want is peace.
"AFSPA is an enabling act. The act gives us space to work. And in the past two years, there has been no human rights violations allegation in this area. ((PATCH)) In rural areas, they don't know what AFSPA is all about and don't care either. It is only some vested interests who talk and demonise the Act,'' said Major General Gurdeep Singh, GoC, Victor Force.
Rigid positions and a communication breakdown have led to a stalemate in Kashmir that does not show signs of ending any time soon, creating an unavoidable situation when peace appears to have tentatively arrived in the state.