New Delhi:
During a three-hour-long meeting this evening, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed a proposal to amend the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abduallah has been campaigning for the withdrawal of the Act from four districts in his state where militancy has been waning. Home Minister P Chidambaram is also in favour of amending the Act to make it more "humane." Critics of the act describe it frequently as "draconian" and prone to misuse by the Army because it allows offices to operate without fear of arrest by civil authorities. Defence Minister AK Antony, however, has been stressing that the act provided necessary legal immunity in a state where it's dealing with a war-like situation.
A new blueprint for the Act, designed by Chidambaram, was discussed at the PM's meeting. Hours before that, Abdullah and Chidambaram discussed the proposed amendments.
Centre has also convened an all-party meeting on Kashmir on Wednesday.
Before the CCS met, the Prime Minister repeated his offer to have a dialogue with affected groups in Kashmir. "The unrest in the State of Jammu & Kashmir over the last few weeks is a matter of concern. The youth of Kashmir are our citizens and their grievances have to be addressed. We have to ensure better delivery of services and generate avenues for economic advancement for the people of that state. We are willing to talk to every person or group which abjures violence, within the framework of our Constitution," said Dr Manmohan Singh. (Read: PM's full speech) | (Read: PM renews offer for dialogue)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abduallah has been campaigning for the withdrawal of the Act from four districts in his state where militancy has been waning. Home Minister P Chidambaram is also in favour of amending the Act to make it more "humane." Critics of the act describe it frequently as "draconian" and prone to misuse by the Army because it allows offices to operate without fear of arrest by civil authorities. Defence Minister AK Antony, however, has been stressing that the act provided necessary legal immunity in a state where it's dealing with a war-like situation.
A new blueprint for the Act, designed by Chidambaram, was discussed at the PM's meeting. Hours before that, Abdullah and Chidambaram discussed the proposed amendments.
Centre has also convened an all-party meeting on Kashmir on Wednesday.
Before the CCS met, the Prime Minister repeated his offer to have a dialogue with affected groups in Kashmir. "The unrest in the State of Jammu & Kashmir over the last few weeks is a matter of concern. The youth of Kashmir are our citizens and their grievances have to be addressed. We have to ensure better delivery of services and generate avenues for economic advancement for the people of that state. We are willing to talk to every person or group which abjures violence, within the framework of our Constitution," said Dr Manmohan Singh. (Read: PM's full speech) | (Read: PM renews offer for dialogue)
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