Amit Shah Says Centre To Consider Revoking AFSPA In Jammu And Kashmir: Here's All You Need To Know

The Central government may consider revoking Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday (26 March).

Shah also said that the government has plans for the reduction of military presence in the region, aiming to transition law enforcement responsibilities solely to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

"We have plans to pull back troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir police was not trusted but today they are leading the operations," Shah said in an interview with J&K Media Group.

On the AFSPA, the Union Home Minister said, "We will also think of revoking AFSPA," NDTV reported.

AFSPA grants broad powers to military personnel in disturbed areas, including search, arrest, to open fire if they deem it necessary for "the maintenance of public order".

An area or district is notified as disturbed under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces.

Shah said the assembly elections will be held in J&K before September this year.

"Enshrining democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise and it will be fulfilled. However, this democracy will not be confined to three families alone and will be a people's democracy," he said.

Shah also made it clear that the BJP and the entire Parliament believe that the POK is an integral part of India.

"The Muslim brothers are also Indians and the Hindu brothers living in POK are also Indians and the land which has been illegally occupied by Pakistan also belongs to India. It is the goal of every Indian, every Kashmiri to get it back," he said.

Shah also urged the youths of J&K to stay away from the conspiracies of Pakistan.

"Today Pakistan is shrouded by the scourge of hunger and poverty and even people there see Kashmir as heaven. I want to tell everyone that if anyone can save Kashmir, he is Prime Minister Modi," he said.

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