SRINAGAR: JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah, in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement regarding the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and troop withdrawal from Jammu and Kashmir, stated that any further delay in this matter was unnecessary.
“When the Government of India declares that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is normal and militancy and separatism have ceased, then there is no reason for them to delay the removal of AFSPA. I believe there is no need for further delay,” Omar Abdullah told reporters in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Describing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on the removal of AFSPA as misleading, JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah said, “I am waiting for this day since 2011. We made a lot of efforts to remove the AFSPA. The same deceptive tactics were used with the people of Ladakh regarding the restoration of Statehood and the sixth Schedule and are now being employed with the people of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.”
Earlier in an interview with Gulistan News, Shah mentioned that the government would indeed contemplate revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir in the future. He added, “The situation is improving, and we are promptly considering revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir. A change in the state of affairs is under consideration.”
