Omar, Mehbooba hope Shah’s statement on AFSPA review is not just poll ‘jumla’

omar, mehbooba hope shah’s statement on afspa review is not just poll ‘jumla’

Omar, Mehbooba hope Shah’s statement on AFSPA review is not just poll ‘jumla’

SRINAGAR: Union home minister Amit Shah’s announcement that the Centre would consider reviewing Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir evoked mixed reactions from the Valley’s mainstream parties, with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti welcoming it and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah remaining sceptical.

The two former chief ministers said if this was not just an electoral ploy and govt was ready to “walk the talk”, then it should take immediate steps for removal of AFSPA and withdrawal of troops.

Mehbooba hoped the law that grants widespread powers and immunity from prosecution to security forces in designated areas was indeed revoked, and Shah’s statement did not turn out to be an empty rhetoric.

“PDP has consistently demanded the revocation of draconian AFSPA along with a gradual removal of troops. It also formulated an important part of our Agenda of Alliance wholeheartedly agreed upon by BJP. Der aayee durust aaye. Better late than never but only if it isn’t jumlebaazi like generating two crore jobs every year or empty promises of depositing 15 lacs into bank accounts (sic.),” she said in a post on X.

The MHA could start by releasing journalists and Kashmiri youths languishing in jail “without any charges”, she added.

Omar, on the other hand, linked Shah’s statement to Lok Sabha polls. “Since elections are here, the people of J&K are being cheated and misled the way people of Ladakh have been cheated over restoration of statehood and the 6th Schedule,” he told reporters in Budgam.

“If New Delhi is claiming there is normalcy in Kashmir, militancy has ended and there is no separatism left, then it’s high time to remove AFSPA and withdraw troops. There should be no need to wait further,” he further said.

Shah told local news channel Gulistan News on Tuesday that govt had plans to pull back troops, leave law and order to J&K Police, and would consider reviewing AFSPA coverage.

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