AFPSA need not be withdrawn from Kashmir, says Advani

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29 (ANI): In reaction to a poser on the possible withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain regions in Jammu and Kashmir, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani on Saturday said it need not be withdrawn from the state.

"I don't think there is a need to withdraw AFSPA in so far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned. Nothing should be done that weakens the armed forces' position," he told the media here.

Earlier, on Friday Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah declared that AFSPA would be withdrawn from certain areas of the province.

Addressing a gathering here, Abdullah said that since the security condition has improved in the Kashmir region, the government was in a position to consider removal of AFSPA.

"Today, I am happy to announce that the time has come and the circumstances are permitting us to lift those laws, from certain areas, which were imposed during the time of rampant militancy in the state," Omar Abdullah added. (ANI)