Omar to push for phased withdrawal of AFSPA
Jammu, Jan 7:
Pushing for partial lifting of the controversial AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir,
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday asked all stake holders concerned to shed
rigidity to help take a decision based on the ground situation and for the
benefit of people of the state. "It's surprising that whenever we have
talked about lifting of AFSPA, certain vested interests have been working
overtime and making projections as if we want it to be removed from the entire
state whereas we want it to be lifted from certain parts only," Omar
told PTI here. With two years remaining
for Assembly elections in the state, he said he will again approach the
Government of India (GoI) and make a case for partial withdrawal of AFSPA.
"It was never a political issue or an
emotional argument from us. Our stand has always been based on sound logic and
a realistic assessment of the ground situation," he said.
Questioning
the claims of 'vested interests' that partial withdrawal of AFSPA will see a
rise in militancy, the Chief Minister asked "whom are they trying to fool?
“This is an insult to the Army and other security agencies, who are manning the
border. Those propagating such an idea indirectly mean that Army is doing
nothing. This is an absolute misinformation campaign launched to demoralise the
Army, CRPF and state police."
"First and
foremost I never advocated lifting it from areas close to the Line of Control
or so. I have suggested that it could be lifted from areas like Srinagar and
Jammu cities," he said in reply to a question about apprehensions that the
areas, where the AFSPA will be withdrawn, would become a safe haven for
militants.
Asked
about the response for his attempts so far on the AFSPA issue, the Chief
Ministers said, "We have not been successful but this does not mean that
we should not try. We are trying and I know for sure that something positive
will emerge." Asked about his
successes and weakness in the last four years, he said, "There have been
lessons learnt and the process of learning continues. I am not the one who will
go to town with my achievements and it is for the people to judge me after two
years." "But that vision comes
only after analysing our failures and that's where we learn. Do you think that
separatists and certain political parties are lying low. They want
demonstrations every now and then. They want a law and order problem every now
and then and for this they don't mind speaking a canard of lies. We deal with the
false propaganda more rather than militancy," he said.
Taking
a dig on separatists leaders including Hurriyat Conference (M), Omar said, “One
finds it amazing that they are willing to travel to Pakistan and meet the
leaders there but don't want to talk to people in New Delhi. This leaves no one
in doubt that they lack sincerity in their approach and probably are not keen
on finding solution to the Kashmir issue.
"By just waving the flag of separatism does not give them any right
to make people of the State suffer. The elections of 2009, followed by
successful Panchayat elections and recently held MLC elections should be
indicators for them that people no longer buy their 'boycott theory'," he
said.
To a question
about his Truth and Reconciliatory Commission (TRC) to go into the unmarked
graves issue, Omar said the purpose of such a body will be successful only
after both India and Pakistan agree for it. "...because there are far too
many questions which require answers and those won't be available in the Valley
only. Take for example the instance of disappearances. How could you make an
example or assumptions that all those people who have disappeared were killed
by security forces. "What about the
people killed by the militants. What about those who went across (PaK) and die
while trying to come back or infiltrate. What about those who went to training
camps," he said.
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