Omar Talks Of Gradual AFSPA Revocation

KL Report

JAMMU

Stating that the graph of militancy related violence in the State has come down by over 70 percent during the last five years, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday told Legislative Assembly that he stands firm on his belief about gradual revocation of AFSPA and will continue to work for it. Given the fact that the assembly was slated to approve the grants falling in the departments under his ministries, Omar spent perhaps the first full day in the assembly.

“I had said that the gradual revocation of AFSPA will begin from my government’s this tenure and the same will happen”, Omar asserted and rejected the contention of BJP legislator that revocation of AFSPA would be deceit to the personnel of forces who have sacrificed their lives. He said that this instead would be tribute to them as they achieved the martyrdom for creating peaceful atmosphere and normality in the State and revocation of AFSPA would be indication of peace.

Omar Abdullah said that it is not necessary every important objective would be achieved without any struggle. “I talked about gradual revocation of AFSPA, worked continuously for it and there was a time when he and the then Home Minister of India P. Chidambaram where on same page and we had convinced the Prime Minister but the Defence Minister did not agree to the proposal as he was inclined to support the argument of armed forces in this regard”, he said and maintained the beginning of revocation of AFSPA will start during the present tenure of his government.

Omar Abdullah said that the improvement in the security situation in the State has been a big achievement of his government. He said the contribution of security forces and J&K Police has been of highest degree in this direction. He said all schools have been vacated from the occupation of forces. He said 37 hospitals, 33 hotels, 30 industrial units have also been cleared during the last five years besides removing of 54 bunkers in Srinagar.

The Chief Minister announced that government will examine the guidelines under which relatives of deceased militants and surrendered militants are given no objection for passports maintaining that 10 years and 12 years moratorium kept in the guidelines to provide passports to the relatives of the deceased and surrendered militants respectively will be reduced to a greater extent so that they could get the passports as early as possible.

Omar Abdullah also rejected the criticising of Rehabilitation Policy and asked its critics that when there could be a surrender policy for active militants, implemented during the period of NDA, why can’t there be a policy for those who have crossed LoC and want to return back without any gun and live a peaceful life”. He said so far 308 persons have returned to the State under this policy alongwith their families and are living peacefully.

On Pathribal issue the Chief Minister said that it will not be allowed to be ‘travesty of justice’. He said five innocents have been killed and who killed them has to be found out and justice given to the bereaved. “I have taken up this issue with the Prime Minister and he has assured me that he would discuss it with the Defence Minister”, he said adding that while we are not satisfied with the armed forces action about Pathribal, we appreciate the Army for instituting Court Marshal in the Machil incident.

On relocation of Tosha Madain firing range, the Chief Minister said that the matter stands discussed in the Civil Military Liaison Conference and Committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted to identify the alternate site for firing range so that Tosha Madian is opened for tourists and tourism related activities.

Regarding 2010 stone pelting incidents, the Chief Minster said that almost all cases have been withdrawn against those who were not involved in serious crimes. He said FIRs for each case of firing has been registered, charge sheets framed and presented in the judiciary for final verdict. He said that nobody wants juveniles to be arrested and put in juvenile homes. He added that parents have an important role in this regard to control their wards and keep them away from unlawful activities like stone pelting etc.

Omar Abdullah said that sometimes restrictions are necessary to be imposed to safeguard the life and property of the people as such his government has does it in view of maintaining calm because certain people are always in search of putting fuel to the fire and disturb situation. He said that it has been seen how people tried to transfer Kishtwar incident to the Kashmir and other parts of Jammu. He said we are thankful to people that they have foiled these attempts. He said had his government imposed restriction in 2010 after the incident of Tufail Mottoo the loss of precious lives could have been saved.

On use of non-lethal weapons, the Chief Minister said that his government never wants to use pellets or teargas shells. He said such incidents are deeply painful for him. “You can’t believe under which pain I go through when I am told about such incidents”, he said adding that while he will not hesitate to dismiss and punish the police personnel found responsible for use of excessive force he wants to appeal the parents of the youth to keep them away from indulging in unlawful activities like stone pelting as stone pelting is not answer to any problem.

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