Srinagar: Stating that the killing of two innocent youth in armys firing at Chattergam can cast shadow on the Assembly elections of Jammu and Kashmir, former Chief Interlocutor on Kashmir Dileep Padgaonkar Wednesday termed the killings unfortunate, condemnable and demanded there should be a thorough probe.
It is unfortunate and condemnable that the Army has killed the two innocent youth .The incident should be probed and all the angles must be investigated thoroughly, Padgaonkar told KNS over phone from New Delhi.
He said that the killings have taken place at a time when elections have already been announced by the Election Commission of India. Since the State is already in poll mode, the killings have not only vitiated the atmosphere but cast a shadow on polls as well, he said and added that these incidents give the chance to the separatist leaders to call for strikes and protests and there is every chance that situation would vitiate.
Asked to comment on Omar Abdullahs repeated appeal to the central government to revoke the AFSPA he said, The State Government has the powers to lift AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir. AFSPA is closely related with Disturbed Areas Act (DAA). The lifting of DAA lies within the domain of the state government. They can lift as well as impose it.
Asked about the Armys opposition on the revocation of special laws he said, The Disturbed Areas Act should be gradually revoked from those areas of the state where militancy has considerably come down. I have always said that the DAA should be revoked from the areas where the security scenario has improved and militancy is on decline.
Pertinently the Centres interlocutors on October 18 had said that the State Government has the powers to lift AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir if it can do away with the DAA. AFSPA is closely related with DAA. The lifting of DAA lies within the domain of the state government. They can lift as well as impose it, they had said. (KNS)
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