"Why didn't they think of AFSPA before," says media advisor to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti

However, she expressed openness to the idea of revoking AFSPA if the BJP-led central government was genuinely committed to it.

"Why didn't they think of AFSPA before," says media advisor to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, media advisor to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday questioned the timing of the BJP's decision to remove AFSPA, saying that despite the BJP's majority rule in the country and the state for the past 5 years, they have not considered revoking the AFSPA.

However, she welcomed the idea of revoking the AFSPA if the BJP-led central government is serious about it.

Highlighting the BJP's prolonged governance in the Jammu and Kashmir and the country, she pointed out that they had not raised the issue of AFSPA previously, despite claiming normalcy in the state for half a decade.

She implied skepticism about the central government's seriousness regarding Kashmiri issues, suggesting that their actions, such as detaining journalists and youth, contradicted their purported intentions.

"They (the BJP) have been running the govt here in the state for the last 5 years, and they are in the brute majority in the country, so why didn't they think of AFSPA before as they continue to claim normalcy in the state from the last 5 years. People understand that they (the central govt) aren't serious about the issues here and if they are they should have released the journalists and thousands of boys who are rotting in jails. But, if they really want to do so (revoking AFSPA), we welcome the move," she said.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, and enter or search premises without a warrant, along with some other actions.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the central government is considering pulling back some troops from Jammu and Kashmir and leaving law and order to the police.

In an interview with Jammu and Kashmir-based Gulistan News, Shah said the government will leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

"We have plans to pull back troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. We are strengthening the police, who are at the forefront during the encounter," Home Minister Amit Shah said.

"The troops will slowly and slowly go to the barracks. Such a design has already been formed. We have made a blueprint of seven years," he added.

The Home Minister also indicated that the government is considering revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in parts of Kashmir.

"We will definitely consider this proposal (revoke the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The situation is being normalised. We are speedily considering this proposal," he said.

Meanwhile, the Central government has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in eight districts and 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland, declaring them as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from April 1 this year, unless withdrawn earlier.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made the announcement through a notification mentioning that the AFSPA has been extended for next six months in Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts of Nagaland.

Besides, the AFSPA has been extended in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland-- six police stations each in Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts; five police stations in Kohima; three police stations in Wokha; and Yanglok police station in Longleng district.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday also extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in three districts and the areas falling under the jurisdictions of three police stations in another district of Arunachal Pradesh for a period of six months, declaring them as 'disturbed areas' with effect from April 1, 2024, unless withdrawn earlier.

The Ministry made the declaration through a notification, announcing Tirap, Changlang, and Longding among the three districts where AFSPA has been extended for the next six months.

In addition, the Government of India has also extended AFSPA in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering the state of Assam.

Earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024.

According to the Lok Sabha elections dates announcement, voting in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in five phases and the counting of the votes will take place on June 4. The results of the Jammu & Kashmir Lok Sabha elections 2024 will also be announced on June 4.

The Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory will be held in the first five phases on April 19 (Udhampur), April 26 (Jammu), May 7 (Anantnag-Rajouri), May 13 (Srinagar) and May 20 (Baramulla). The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. (ANI)