One day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Omar Abdullah's demand for partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Jammu and Kashmir needed to be objectively discussed by all players, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister met Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony here.
Mr. Abdullah used a post on micro-blogging site Twitter to confirm the meeting on Sunday. “Yes, I have just finished meeting the Defence Minister & no, I don't intend to speak to the media for the time being,” said his Tweet.
The AFSPA gives security forces virtually unbridled powers while undertaking counter-insurgency operations in the State. While the Chief Minister, backed by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, wants the Act withdrawn in parts of the State which have returned to normality, the armed forces are reportedly opposed to any such move.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air India One while returning from the SAARC summit in Male on Saturday, the Prime Minister said: “I am conscious of the positions. All those in charge of security and those dealing with handling of all the security forces should sit and objectively discuss… I don't think that political process has been completed,” he said.
According to a PTI report, Mr. Abdullah also met Army Chief V. K. Singh on Sunday.
During his meeting with Mr. Antony, Mr. Abdullah presented his case for removal of the AFSPA from at least four districts, two each in Kashmir and Jammu, official sources said.
While Mr. Antony conveyed the reservations of the Army over such a move, Mr. Abdullah emphasised the need to translate the promises made by the National Conference-Congress alliance on the ground and reward the people of the State for maintaining a peaceful year, the sources said.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, and Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday to present the case of the State government.
