Journalism of Courage
Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs announcement that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be revoked soon in certain areas has failed to cheer up the separatist camp in the Valley. They are demanding revocation of the AFSPA from the entire state.
Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq welcomed the decision,but demanded complete demilitarisation of the state. This is not an issue of a district or a region, he said. If you really want a change in the situation,you should begin military withdrawal and revocation of black laws from entire J-K.
Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani termed the decision an attempt to hoodwink the people. If the government is really sincere,it should remove all the draconian laws,including AFSPA and PSA,from the entire state.
Pro-independence leader Yasin Malik too has questioned the logic behind revoking the special powers of armed forces only in certain areas.
I have visited the remote villages of the state during my Safar-e-Azadi and signature campaigns. I have witnessed how those villagers are suffering due to heavy militarisation. If they are not removing the black laws from those areas,what is the purpose of removing these laws? he asked. The entire state should be demilitarised and draconian laws must be revoked immediately.
