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Delhi ready to revisit stand on AFSPA: Kichloo
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 6/7/2013 11:20:21 PM
SRINAGAR, June 7: Stating that the Union Government is looking serious in revoking the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Minster of state for Home Sajad Ahmad Kichloo on Saturday said that Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan Singh has assured Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of revisiting New Delhi’s stand on lifting of the act. He added that the Prime Minster has also said that the rehabilitation policy and the interlocutors report would also be reviewed.
“During the recent Chief Minster’s conference, Omar Abdullah raised issues pertaining to the lifting of AFSPA and renewed his demand on the issue,” Kichloo said and added that ‘Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not only acknowledged the concerns of the chief minister, but was optimistic regarding reviewing of the interlocutors report’.
“The union government has assured us that they will work for the strengthening of the rehabilitation policy and would also review interlocutors report to see wherefrom the AFSPA could be revoked,” claimed Kichloo.
“We have told centre that if youth returning from PAK are arrested, they would prefer to stay back and the policy would eventually fail,” said Kichloo.
He also refused to accept that the latest surge in militant attacks on police was due to rise in infiltration. “No, there has been no rise in infiltration, but police is a soft target therefore they attack on it more often,” claimed Kichloo.
The MoS home while defending the government decision to put restrictions on certain separatist leaders said that they (Govt) did not believe in curbing the movement of individuals. “But our main concern is to maintain law and order. These are the months of business and income generation for our people. If they create trouble and prevent people from earning livelihood, how can we allow them to do that,” asked Kichloo. Regarding relief for the quake hit victims in Chenab valley, Sajad Kichloo said,” we have submitted a proposal of more than Rs 600 crore to the GOIU, and are waiting for the response.”