Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan on September 23 demanded the full withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that it was causing “grave security concerns” among the common people. He suggested that the Army be deployed only on the border and in those pockets of the State that were deemed “terrorist-afflicted.” Addressing journalists on his return from Kashmir as a member of the all-party delegation, Mr. Paswan exhorted the Centre to do away with the AFSPA as a majority of those arrested under the Act were often innocent Kashmiri civilians and students and not terrorists. Stating that “there could be no debate on whether Kashmir was a part of India or not,” he recommended that it be granted as much autonomy possible within constitutional bounds. He demanded a compensation of Rs.20 lakh for the kin of the bereaved families and a government job for every able family member. Emergency services such as medicines, and schools, colleges and educational institutions should be operative during curfews, he added.
PASWAN DEMANDS FULL WITHDRAWAL OF AFSPA
Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan on September 23 demanded the full withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)
