NEW DELHI: Ruling National Conference Tuesday said that time has come for the revocation of AFSPA and complete demilitarization of Kashmir zone as situation all across Valley has improved to a great extent.
Member Parliament and NC senior leader Dr Mehboob Beigh said that Government of India should realize that the era of 90s is over and it is the right time to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and send its Army back to barracks.
GoI should not only punish those men in uniform for their involvement in rights abuses in Kashmir but it should also ensure the Kashmiri people enjoy right to dignity and life, Beigh said adding that New Delhi should understand the anguish and concern shown by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the continuous imposition of AFSPA.
The provisions of the AFSPA allow the Indian army to use substantial force against any person who acts in contravention of any law or against an assembly of five or more persons. Further, it allows the destruction of any shelter, private or government from which armed attacks are likely to mount. It is right time for AFSPA to go so that human rights violations could be stopped from taking place in Kashmir, he said.
Dr Mehboob Beigh said that from past 23 years Indian Army is present in civilian areas of Kashmir. If New Delhi is not willing to send its troopers back that means there is something wrong and the Government of India is not ready to let people of Kashmir breath freely, he said and urging upon the GoI to demilitarize Kashmir without any delay.
National Conference Member Parliament said that the militarization of the Kashmir Valley has manifested into a protective pall shrouding the atrocities committed by army officials backed by the AFSPA under the pretext of curbing insurgencies. The situation in 90s was quite different and now peace has returned to Valley. People abhor violence and always take out peaceful protests. In such conditions there is no need of AFSPA or Army in Kashmir, he said.
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