Climate not conducive to revoking AFSPA in Jammu & Kashmir: Nirmal Singh

Interview with Deputy Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir

The BJP-PDP government is in no tearing hurry to revoke the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu & Kashmir on the grounds that the situation is not ripe. In an interview with Sanjay Jog, J&K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who was in the city to participate in a function organised by the Mumbai BJP unit, spoke at length on the militancy, cross-border terrorism, state of finance and on completion of 100 days of rule. Edited excerpts:

Pressure is building on the PDP-BJP government to revoke AFSPA, especially when Tripura has already lifted it. What is the alliance’s government stand in this regard?

Let me first tell you that the alliance between BJP and PDP is neither political nor ideological but forged to give the people of J&K stable and corruption-free governance. The two parties worked out a common minimum programme (CMP). I want to make it clear that the situation is not appropriate for the revocation of AFSPA at this juncture. There are stray instances of militant attacks. However, the government is committed to take firm action against such forces. This Act cannot be discontinued for now. It is for the central government to decide.

How is the government addressing the issue of militant attacks and cross-border terrorism? Has it been a major security threat?

Security forces have been alerted and will prevent such attacks, especially along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border.

The army is on the move and combing operations are regularly carried out. The government has a zero-tolerance policy.

The government will not compromise on the national interest and it will continue to take stern action against the separatists and the militants. The government will make the system better in the state to provide effective governance to the people. The government will also foil all attempts to puncture the peace efforts.

The government came under attack over the handling of separatist leader Masarat Alam. What is your take?

Masarat Alam was released in March as per the Supreme Court order. The process was started during the governor’s rule. However, Masarat was arrested again in April by the Jammu & Kashmir police for “seditious” activities”, especially for allegedly waving Pakistani flags. He is currently in jail.

What is the government’s stand on the Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other leaders having soft corner for Pakistan?

The government is quite firm not to allow Geelani to undertake anti-national activities in the state. Further, the government will also not allow Geelani to hold the controversial seminar of separatist leaders. Geelani had not sought any permission from authorities to hold the seminar. Geelani has been under house arrest.

Separatist groups should not indulge in any kind of anti-national activity. I want to reiterate that the government will not tolerate any kind of anti-nationalism on J&K’s soil.

Opposition parties have hit out against PDP-BJP government’s 100-day rule saying it was full of “contradiction, confusion and controversies”. What do you have to say to that?

The 100-day rule was a success as the alliance government has set the stage right ensuring corruption-free, transparent governance in J&K. The alliance government has inherited a mess created by the previous government and the present establishment is working quite hard to straighten up the mess. Our priorities include restoration of law and order, step up security, ensure safety to the people of the state, revival of the economy and thereby attract more and more investments. The government has appealed to the investors to invest in tourism, infrastructure, including roads, power-hydro and solar. Besides, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and I have invited Bollywood to the state.