The Modi-led government is considering the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from some districts in Jammu Kashmir.
Quoting sources India today reported that PM Narendra Modi may make an announcement regarding this during his visit scheduled later this month.
Areas in J&K were brought under the AFSPA in September 1990 through a notification issued by the then state government, declaring the Kashmir valley a ‘disturbed area’ under Section 3 of the law. It was only in August 2001 that the then state government extended the scope of AFSPA to Jammu province.
On March 31 of this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a reduction in the number of areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur where AFSPA was in force.
Meanwhile, a Times of India report quoted a senior Government official saying, ““A highly sensitive decision like withdrawal of the AFSPA from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir can be taken only at the highest political level of the government on the basis of a thorough assessment of the ground situation.”
The AFSPA is now fully applicable in 31 districts and partially in 12 districts of four Northeastern states, namely Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
There has been speculation that to send a positive political message, the government, if it takes any decision, may first make an analysis of the security situation of Jammu city only.
“Any consideration on tweaking the AFSPA in the Kashmir valley is very unlikely,” the official said.