Cong, BJP spar over opposition party’s manifesto pledge to review AFSPA in J&K


Team Udayavani, Apr 3, 2019, 8:27 AM IST

New Delhi: The Congress and the BJP engaged in a war of words on Tuesday over the opposition party’s manifesto pledge to review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it would compromise national security, the Congress hit back saying if amending AFSPA was anti-national, why did the government withdraw it from Tripura, Meghalaya and some districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

In significant proposals, the Congress, in its 54-page manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, promised to review the deployment of armed forces, move more troops to the border to stop infiltration completely, reduce the presence of the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in the Valley and entrust more responsibility with the Jammu and Kashmir police for maintaining law and order.

“The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed,” the party said, adding that suitable changes would be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of security and protection of human rights.

In a statement, BJP chief Amit Shah hit out at the opposition party over its promise to repeal section 124A (sedition law) and review the AFSPA, saying it was bringing a smile to terrorists and separatists while lowering the morale of the armed forces.

Earlier, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said it would compromise national security.

Slamming the BJP’s criticism of the proposal, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said: “If amending AFSPA is anti-national, why did the government withdraw today the Act from three districts of Arunachal Pradesh?”

“Why was AFSPA withdrawn totally from Tripura in 2015 and remains withdrawn? Why was AFSPA withdrawn from Meghalaya in 2018 and remains withdrawn?” he said on Twitter.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Nagarjuna’s younger son Akhil Akkineni engaged

People getting heartburns after I became CM for second time: Siddaramaiah

Newborn baby kidnapped from Kalaburagi hospital in Karnataka

Gukesh draws with Liren in second game of World Chess Championship

All about ‘One Nation One Subscription’ scheme

PAN cards with QR code planned under PAN 2.0 project

Related Articles More

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Five arrested in connection with botched angioplasty deaths at Gujarat hospital

Deceased Kannur official’s widow moves Kerala HC for CBI probe into his death

Kerala CM accuses Centre of turning ‘blind-eye’ towards Wayanad’s need for help

Construct iconic deep tech building in Amaravati, Andhra CM tells officials

MUST WATCH

Grafting

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing


Latest Additions

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Telugu actor Shri Tej booked for alleged cheating, false marriage promise

Five arrested in connection with botched angioplasty deaths at Gujarat hospital

Deceased Kannur official’s widow moves Kerala HC for CBI probe into his death

CAMPCO urges Centre to take action on areca nut ‘carcinogen classification’

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.