Case for withdrawing AFSPA rightful,asserts Omar

Omar was posed with questions about withdrawal of AFSPA by the media during a function in connection with completion of three years of coalition government led by the National Conference (NC).

The government,which had taken oath on January five,2009,today released the three-year report card of their governance,development and policies they had formulated and implemented on the ground during the period. “I believe that there is a rightful case for gradual withdrawal of AFSPA from those areas where army is not operating for years”,he said.

The Chief Minister further said,”I am certain of my position that I have taken now and as earlier (on the issue of withdrawal of AFSPA)”.

“It is not a question of coming years. I intend to pursue in the coming weeks and months”,the Chief Minister said adding “the issue is not the back burner–just because it is not being talked about– does not mean that it is not being pursued”.

“At various levels the discussions are on both within the state between the civil and security establishments and also on the central level as well”,he said.

Abdullah also assured that the probe into the CISF firing on protestors against power shortage in Boniyar would be taken to its logical conclusion and assured that the Centre would allow law to take its own course.

“Keeping in with their commitment in ensuring Justice,they (Centre) will allow law to follow its own course,” Omar said.

The Chief Minister said,”as far as I am concerned,two parallel courses of action have been initiated. There is a magisterial inquiry — that is going on. There is also the legal process as a result of filing of FIR under relevent sections of the penal code Both (these probes) would be taken to logical conclusion– and in case it is found that prosecution is warranted and legal action has to follow– if required we will approach the Government of India (GOI) (for sanction) and I have no doubt about it.”

The Chief Minister was replying to a question about the statement of the Centre and Chief of CISF that they come under preview of AFSPA and need the Centre’s nod to prosecute CISF persons involved in the firing at Boniyar on January two. “I am not getting into tussle with anybody else”,Omar said.

Director General of CISF N R Das had said its personnel had strictly followed the standard operating procedure before opening fire at a mob at the NHPC power plant at Uri in North Kashmir in which a teenager was killed.

CISF personnel also enjoyed cover under AFSPA and the Home Ministry has advised the state government to prevent any further law and order problem.

Replying to another question about the NHPC Chief’s statement not to handover hydro projects to Jammu and Kashmir and the state Government’s resolve to take them back,Omar said,”there is a cabinet sub-committee that has been set up by the state government to examine the possibility of bringing back projects from NHPC”.

Jammu and Kashmir has been facing acute power shortage on two counts — transmission and distribution losses and pilferage and the Centre has asked the state government to draw up an action plan to deal with the problems. It has also advised the state government to write to the concerned central ministry to get funds to buy more power.

“CSC is due to submit me report today. Let the CSC reported be deliberated in cabinet– further to that we will see what course of action needs to be followed,” Omar said.

“Please understand that point of getting a hydro project back to state was actually endorsed by Economic advisor to Government of India (GOI) Rangrajan in his report many years ago”.