New Delhi, December 18: Pitching for special powers to armed forces to tackle terrorism, Union Defence minister A.K. Antony asserted specifically that it is vital to suppress insurgency in Jammu and Kasmir and the northeast.
“As long as their (armed forces) presence is necessary, they need special provisions. They cannot function without special powers,” Antony told reporters here.
“If we see, the situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast,” he added.
There have been demands from several quarters, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) on grounds that it was leading to gross violation of human rights.
–Agencies