DGP defends AFSPA, immunity under the Act a
‘misconception’
Srinagar, Apr
17: Ruling out any direct role in revocation of the controversial Armed Forces
Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from J&K, the Director General of Police Ashok
Prasad Wednesday said it is a misconception that armed forces were enjoying
‘immunity’ under the law. He however hinted that even Police would need ‘some
kind of legal cover in case it is entrusted the independent job of counter
insurgency.’ “A misconception has been floated that armed forces are immune to
any kind of disciplinary action under AFSPA,” Prasad told local news gathering
agency KNS on Wednesday from New Delhi, soon after attending the Inter-State
conference on Police Reforms. “Army catches a man and hands him over to Police.
AFSPA doesn’t provide them with any investigation powers,” the DGP said. He however added that the union government
has a mechanism to screen the allegations against armed forces working in areas
where AFSPA is in operation before they are put to trial.
The
DGP said even it would be desirable for state Police to have such screening ‘if
it is to handle the counter insurgency of its own’. “You can have any officer being accused of
violating the norms. Does that mean, every Police officer shall roam around in
court corridors to prove his innocence or fight militancy? Therefore there has
to be some kind of a mechanism to save officers and personnel against being
tried on the basis of allegations which don’t have any merit,” the DGP said.
“You can’t let anybody level allegations every now and then when you have such
a tough situation to handle.”
The DGP claimed
that there were people with vested interests who were creating confusion over
the issue. “Under Section (3) of AFSPA, Central forces get the special powers
and under section (3) of Disturbed Areas Act only J&K Armed Police, not the
JKP, enjoys certain powers,” said Prasad.
He
made it clear that political dispensation was the appropriate authority to take
a final call on the implementation or revocation of the controversial law. “We
have already two committees working on it and once they submit the report to
Government, the position would get clear,” he added. Meanwhile hinting at
limiting the movement of some separatist leaders “who could create law and
order problems”, the DGP said that majority of the separatist leaders have been
released. “But there are intelligence inputs suggesting that free movement of some
leaders could create law and order problems. This has forced the authorities to
put a check on their movement,” he said. “As long as they are not involved in
instigating people, we don’t have any problem with their movement. But if they
try to instigate people, we will surely revisit our decision,” Prasad said.
He said if Syed
Ali Geelani would like to go to Hyderpora Masjid or for shopping and medical
check-up, he won’t be stopped “unless there is any apprehension of law and
order problems.” Prasad hinted at reduction of security cover in Baramulla
where people have been protesting for over a week. “Let the stone pelting stop,
reduction of security cover would be considered,” he said. “There are 10 to 15 boys who throw stones for
vested interests and they have held the entire area to ransom,” said the DGP.
He said the
situation in Palhalan, Khanpora and other areas has been brought under control
and efforts were on to ensure normalcy in the old town Baramulla.
Source:http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Apr/18/dgp-defends-afspa-immunity-under-the-act-a-misconception--64.asp
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