Centre to consider revoking AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, announces Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced plans to reconsider the presence of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to the JK Media Group, Shah stated that the government intends to withdraw troops from the region, entrusting law and order responsibilities solely to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Shift in strategy

Shah highlighted a significant shift in trust towards the Jammu and Kashmir Police, emphasizing their current leadership in anti-terror operations. He expressed intentions to reassess the AFSPA, a law granting special powers to armed forces personnel in disturbed areas, empowering them to maintain public order through search, arrest, and the use of force when deemed necessary.

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Government's counterterrorism measures

Shah further outlined the government's counterterrorism efforts, including the removal of AFSPA from 70% of areas in the North East and stringent actions against terrorism-related activities. He criticized opposition leaders Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, alleging their involvement in fake encounters during their regimes. Shah pledged dialogue with the youth of Kashmir while condemning organizations with ties to Pakistan, attributing them to the deaths of thousands of youths.

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Additionally, Shah highlighted the Modi government's crackdown on terrorism, including the banning of 12 organizations, designation of 36 individuals as terrorists, and initiation of 22 cases to halt terror financing. The government has seized properties worth ₹150 crore, attached 90 properties, and frozen 134 bank accounts associated with terrorism.

Overall, Shah's statements signal a strategic shift towards empowering local authorities and fostering dialogue with Kashmiri youth while intensifying efforts to combat terrorism in the region.