We will be handicapped without AFSPA: Army

Soon after the announcement,the Chief Minister was criticised by its coalition partner Congress for not taking the Home Ministry,Defence Ministry and state Cabinet on board over this issue. Cabinet ministers of the Congress even expressed their annoyance on withdrawal of AFSPA during the Cabinet meeting last week.

Without the provisions like AFSPA,the Army will get handicapped, said Lt Gen K T Parnaik on the sidelines of a function in Teetwal near the LoC.

From past two decades the situation in the state is not good and the Army requires certain laws to carry out its operations against militants, he said.

Parnaik said if AFSPA is withdrawn from some areas of the state,militants and other elements will exploit the situation. We dont want militants or their mentors to exploit the situation and create mischief in the state.

Parnaik said that AFSPA is not a draconian law as termed by some but an enabling Act. Though partial withdrawal of AFSPA from peaceful areas is a genuine thing as the peace is there. But in this state peace is very fragile and any time situation can turn ugly, he said,adding that the Army wants to see this state peaceful and free from militant activities.

After attack from its coalition partner Congress,the Chief Minister had said that before withdrawal of AFSPA,the government would take the Army and Home Ministry on board.