Army counters Omar on scrapping AFSPA

[golmaal]

The Army today opposed any move to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from peaceful areas in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that the current lull in violence could be deceptive.

“There cannot be islands of peace,” senior army commanders were said to have argued at the Unified Command HQ meeting today. If Srinagar and Budgam are peaceful, it does not mean they can be separated from the larger situation in Kashmir, they said.

The meeting, which discussed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s suggestion that AFSPA should be withdrawn from areas where troops have not operated for many years, did not reach a conclusion. Participants agreed to continue discussions.

Talking to reporters after the reopening of the civil secretariat and other offices after the shift of the durbar this morning, Omar had asked the army when it last worked in Srinagar or Budgam.

The matter would come up for discussion at the Unified Command Headquarters meeting in the evening, Omar added — “We don’t intend to withdraw AFSPA in areas where the army is still needed to fight militants, but only where it has not worked in the last couple of years. Why do they want protection even in areas where they have not worked?”

The state government did not offer a detailed comment after the meeting. But reacting to source-based reports on what happened at the meeting, the chief minister tweeted: “Who the hell is leaking the proceedings of the UHQ to the media??????”

The army and BSF opposed withdrawal of AFSPA; CRPF said it had no reservations provided the government could ensure protection. The state police backed the CM, sources said.

Can’t have islands of peace, Army counters Omar on scrapping AFSPA - Indian Express

 

[Devil Soul]

Indian Army not happy with Omar

Updated 21 minutes ago

SRINAGAR: Talks between the government of Indian Occupied Kashmir and Indian Army over controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) have collapsed.

The Indian Army is against the removal of the Act and insisted it must stay. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is strongly pitching for removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) "in areas where the Army has not operated for years".

At the Unified Headquarters meeting called to review the overall security scenario and attended by top Army commanders, heads of various security forces and intelligence agencies, the CM said AFSPA had to be partially withdrawn from the state.

Omar is facing stiff resistance from the army for removing the Act from some parts.

"What is the problem in removing AFSPA from those areas where the Army has not worked for years? When did they (Army) work in Srinagar or Budgam the last time?" he asked.
Indian Army not happy with Omar

 

[KS]

And they have every right to.

Tomorrow if something goes wrong, it will not be Omar and his cohorts facing the bullets..rather the army Jawan.

The Indian Army is a prime stakeholder in the situation in Kashmir and as such their concerns must be given utmost importance before any 'political' move is taken.

 

[Nalwa]

The Army's concerns are valid, but at the same time this issue should be looked as a political and not just a security problem. A political solution necessitates that the temporary withdrawal of AFSPA should be given consideration, at least from relatively peaceful areas.

 

[KS]

The Army's concerns are valid, but at the same time this issue should be looked as a political and not just a security problem. A political solution necessitates that the temporary withdrawal of AFSPA should be given consideration, at least from relatively peaceful areas.

What you say is valid except that select removal will become a nightmare to the Sec forces from a logistical POV and also provide safe havens to the terrorists who can indulge in activities in one area and take refuge in area with no AFSPA.

A horrible example of this "select" removal of AFSPA gone wrong is Manipur where it was removed from areas around Itanagar and this gave the militants refuge and severely handicapped the operational efficiency of the Army over there.

I don't understand the hoopla over the AFSPA...the Army in any way is NOT visibly present in civilian areas. It has become more of an ego issue rather than a genuine issue.

 

[Veeru]

Omar only eligibility is that he is born in a ruling elite clan + close friend of rahul gandhi.

 

[xTra]

Remove ASPA, but Remove Article 370 before removing ASPA.

Fckg Politicians.

 

[Patriot]

I am loving it - How Indians show their double standards when it comes to democracy.

 

[GORKHALI]

I am loving it - How Indians show their double standards when it comes to democracy.

lo aa gaye democracy ke thekedaar??:smile:

 

[rai_kamal]

I am loving it - How Indians show their double standards when it comes to democracy.

And thats how we enjoy our democracy...
By the way,
Government can decrease the number of army personals but don't take the ASFPA,as it is very difficult process to force it..
We know its a long political process so lifting ASFPA is bad !dea...

 

[Nalwa]

What you say is valid except that select removal will become a nightmare to the Sec forces from a logistical POV and also provide safe havens to the terrorists who can indulge in activities in one area and take refuge in area with no AFSPA.

A horrible example of this "select" removal of AFSPA gone wrong is Manipur where it was removed from areas around Itanagar and this gave the militants refuge and severely handicapped the operational efficiency of the Army over there.

I don't understand the hoopla over the AFSPA...the Army in any way is NOT visibly present in civilian areas. It has become more of an ego issue rather than a genuine issue.

Honestly, and I think most of my countrymen will agree with this, the AFSPA is based on the logic that the Security forces have to sometimes override the usual laws and acts and act as an extra-judiciary power. Besides, the AFSPA also avoids any unecesary civilian interference into military operations.

What my point is, is that we have tried AFSPA, and I dont think it has really worked. The impunity to the armed forces may allow a temporary curb of the militant activities but it doesnt necessarily curb popular sentiment. And it is this popular sentiment that the political solution needs to address. We need to convert it to our side.

Lets try a withdrawal of AFSPA from selected areas and see if it works. Violence for violence hasn't worked, lets see if some peace works.

 

[KS]

Honestly, and I think most of my countrymen will agree with this, the AFSPA is based on the logic that the Security forces have to sometimes override the usual laws and acts and act as an extra-judiciary power. Besides, the AFSPA also avoids any unecesary civilian interference into military operations.

True.

What my point is, is that we have tried AFSPA, and I dont think it has really worked. The impunity to the armed forces may allow a temporary curb of the militant activities but it doesnt necessarily curb popular sentiment. And it is this popular sentiment that the political solution needs to address. We need to convert it to our side.

I would like to disagree here.

It is wrong/misleading to say that AFSPA hasn't really worked. Here we have to make a distinction in the objectives of the Indian state in Kashmir. While AFSPA has worked wonders for the military and security point of view, it is arguable that it has failed from the political point of view. But then AFSPA is not made for political reconciliation in the first phase ! It is made to prepare the ground, to stabilise law and order for political reconciliation to kick in after the situation has been 'normalized'..

It is the same dilemma that we face in Maoist badlands also - whether developement comes after security or security comes through development. Though the pundits may tend to pick the second one, I am of the opinion that for any development , a semblance of normalcy is vital. And if you think what is there in Kashmir now is normalcy then you are mistaken. It only takes a 'rumour' of Sec forces killing someone for stone pelting to start again.

Lets try a withdrawal of AFSPA from selected areas and see if it works. Violence for violence hasn't worked, lets see if some peace works.

I would have agreed to it if the Kashmir problem is purely a local problem. Unfortunately it isnt and you know it very well. With militants waiting all across the LoC to cross in at the most opportune moment what will happen if the army is left toothless is fight them ?

p.s.: I would like to specifically like to object to the tone in which you had used the 'impunity' to describe the Armed forces. Really the conduct of our Army in such pressure cooker situation is much much better compared to the HR records of other nation armies in similar situation. And except a few alleged fake encounters here and there (which may also have been due to faulty intelligence) there is nothing to suggest that IA acts with 'impunity' in Kashmir.

 

[livingdead]

AFSPA should be repelled from kashmir.
It is record tourists in this season, no stone throwing mob, no self exploding terrorist.
Why do you need special protection then?