Women demand repeal of AFSPA

Hundreds of women today demonstrated before the district Collector's office here on International Women's Day demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
The women under the banner Mahila Sanskrutika Sanagathan and All India Democratic Youth Organisation said that AFSPA should be repealed as suggested by Justice J S Verma in his recent recommendations on amendments to criminal laws for the safety and security of women.
"On the pretext of disturbed area, the armed forces are committing crime against women and escaping punishment under the provisions of the controversial act," women leaders alleged.
The women also demanded a halt to widespread sale of liquor and a ban on obscene films.

The leaders said that consumption of liquor and exhibition of obscene films were contributing to crimes against women and demanded that the government enact stringent laws against violence against women.