Govt mulls introducing humane clauses to AFSPA

The government is considering introducing certain “humane clauses” in the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will decide on a phased withdrawal of the Act from at least four districts in Jammu and Kashmir, government sources said today.

The government feels by withdrawing the law in a phased manner, normalcy can be restored in the state. Clashes between the Kashmiri people and security forces that first started on June 11 have so far claimed 70 lives, mainly teenagers. They were protesting against AFSPA and have been demanding immediate withdrawal of the law.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already made it clear that the CCS would have a threadbare discussion on the continuing situation in Kashmir, even as the Union government in Delhi holds talks with the different voices in the state.

Sources in the government said when the CCS meets next time — expected to take place before the weekend — a decision could be reached on how the government wants to amend AFSPA and introduce certain humane clauses to make it more people-friendly.

“The possibility of a phased removal of the AFSPA in some districts of the Kashmir valley and in Jammu area would be considered in the meeting. The final decision can only be taken after the CCS takes up the issue in the meeting,” said a well-placed source close to the development.

Interestingly, both the PM and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have vocally raised the AFSPA issue. Abdullah had been talking about the urgent need to withdraw AFSPA from certain districts with less militant attacks . He had said the Centre should consider making the law more humane.