BJP softens stand on AFSPA

JAMMU: Softening its stand on the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act ( AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP today said it was in favour of partial revocation of the law from the peaceful areas of the state.

"BJP is with it. Wherever there is a need to lift AFSPA, it can be removed from there. Where there is no need of lifting it, it would not be withdrawn...," newly-elected MLC and senior BJP leader Sofi Yousef said in reply to a question.

He, however, opposed lifting of AFSPA from Kashmir. "I feel that it should not end in the areas where there is a danger to people and danger to nation... As our CM has said, where we feel the necessity to remove it, there we could lift it."

The state government has called a civil-military conference tomorrow to iron out all the issues with the armed forces including AFSPA. Army Commander of Western Command Lt Gen K J Singh is expected to attend the conference.

The issue of partial withdrawal of AFSPA from Kathua and Samba districts is expected to come up for discussion in the meeting.

Lt Gen Singh would also oversee the measures taken to build infrastructure post floods in the region. He is also likely to visit Northern Command at Udhampur, a government official said.

Meanwhile, PDP Spokesman and MLC Firdos Tak said, "PDP has always batted for the revocation of AFSPA from the state. The (Civil-Military Conference) is being held soon after the Unified Command meeting. It shows that how serious is the Chief Minister is."