Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that Army and some politicians are against the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the State but assured that his efforts for its withdrawal will continue.
While speaking on the sidelines of the attestation-cum-passing out parade of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Police STC Centre, Sheeri in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Omar said: “Army is reluctant for removal of AFSPA from the State and some politicians are also in their favour. But my efforts will continue for its removal.”
He said that his Government is trying its best to maintain law and order in the State and create congenial atmosphere. He said that for past couple of years there has been progress towards peace in the State, but some elements are trying to disrupt it which became a major hindrance for the development in the State.
When asked about the infiltration of militants from across the Line of Control (LoC), the Chief Minister refused to give figures of this year. “I can’t disclose the actual number of militants infiltrated this year, because there is contradiction in records of army and police regarding the actual number of militants infiltrated this year”, he added.
Omar, however, said that the figures have been sent to the intelligence agencies for verification. “Once they verify it and send it back, then we can disclose the actual number of militants infiltrated this year”, he added.
While replying to a question, about the Sopore encounter, in which nine militants were gunned down by security forces, the Chief Minister said that the security agencies have to work hard for the complete elimination of militants in the State and maintain tight vigil on the borders to stop infiltration.
Omar praised the efforts of the security forces and police for a successful operation at Sopore and said that despite being a built up area there was no collateral damage in the operation.
He also asked the people to remain vigilant against the designs of some people who tried to flare up sectarian clashes in Kashmir. He said that there are some vested interests who are trying to create wedge between different sections of the society and asked people to remain vigilant against their designs.
On Gujarat State Assembly elections, Omar said the outcome of it should not be seen as a reflection on the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls to be held in 2014.
He said State elections are State elections and it has no bearing on Parliament polls. He said a classic example of this was the outcome of last Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that Congress did better in terms of the number of seats in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh but did not do as well in the Assembly polls. “Parliament election is a different chapter because the elections are held at national level,” he added.
Omar refused to comment on the exit polls predicting a hat-trick of wins for BJP in Gujarat. “Opinion polls as we know can be wrong at times. We will see when the results are declared.”
He said he would rather like the infiltration from across the border to stop which would end the need for such encounters.
“We will rather like to see the attempts (by militants) to infiltrate to come to an end which would end the need for these encounters,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister said the killing of the militants yesterday was a success for the security forces.
“An encounter in which militants are eliminated with security forces taking no casualty is a successful operation. The sheer size of the group of militants—five killed and two more holed up as per information given to me—has to be a success for the security forces,” Omar said.
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