AFSA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act). Under this Act, all security forces are given unrestricted and unaccounted power to carry out their operations, once an area is declared disturbed. Even a non- commissioned officer is granted the right to shoot to kill based on mere suspicion that it is necessary to do so in order to maintain the public order. The AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Rules) gives the armed forces wide powers to shoot, arrest and search, all in the name of aiding civil power.

In the meeting of unified command of army with the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah. There were presentations made by the army on the drawbacks of the withdrawal of AFSPA, army stick to its position as to slight relief in the act can lead to problems in carrying operations in the valley. The Chief Minister said that the objections will be conveyed through a committee.

The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was not satisfied and he argued that the state govt. can revoke AFSA, but it need governors assent on the recommendation passed by the assembly. He also said that the relaxation over the AFPSA has been talked by the Union Home Minister in many of his speeches and even cabinet committee has also recommended the relaxation to be given in AFPSA.

Debate over revocation of AFPSA from Jammu and Kashmir

Report by Abhishek Kumar