Conflict
If GoI can remove AFSPA from North East, why not Kashmir, says Mirwaiz
Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Chairman of Hurriyat (M) on Monday said that if the Government of India can revoke the cruel and merciless Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from the North East, then it should be revoked from JK immediately.
In a tweet, Mirwaiz said that the draconian and oppressive AFSPA has played havoc with our lives for the past 30 years.
For the past 30years draconian &oppressive #AFSPA has played havoc with our livesTime &again we have demanded its withdrawal.If GOI can remove it from itsNorthEastern territories,this cruel &merciless power bestowed upon 8 lakh Indian Forces inJ&K should be revoked immediately!
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 23, 2018
On Monday, the Union Home Ministry completely revoked AFSPA from the state of Meghalaya and has been diluted in parts of Arunachal Pradesh.According to a report in the Indian Express, till September 2017, 40 per cent of Meghalaya was under AFSPA. However, after recent review in consultations with the state government, AFSPA was removed completly from Meghalaya, a MHA statement said.
Similarly, AFSPA is now applicable only in 8 police stations in Arunachal, down from 16 police stations in 2017. In another decision, the Home Ministry enhanced the aid under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy for militants in northeast from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.
The policy will be applicable from April 1, 2018.
