NEW DELHI: Virtually ruling out withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir in near future, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that the Act is needed so long as the Army is involved in counter insurgency operations, though any decision in this regard will be taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“My department’s role comes into picture when army is asked to proceed and act in the civilian area. We require this act when army is asked to operate. For counter terror operations army needs special power,” he said, in an interview on the occasion of second anniversary of the Narendra Modi Government in the Centre.
“If special powers will not be given, the army will not go to civilian areas to do operations. Home Ministry is assessing how much areas is to be taken under operation,” Mr Parrikar said.
“If army is required this act has to be there otherwise army can not operate. Jawan can not be made to face standard law” he said emphatically.
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