Centre To Consider Revoking AFSPA, Withdraw Troops From J&K: Amit Shah

New Delhi, March 26 (KF): Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the Centre will consider revoking Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Jammu and Kashmir and that it has a roadmap to withdraw security forces in the Union Territory.

In an interview to Gulistan News, Shah said that the government will surely consider revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir in the future. “The situation is getting normal and we are speedily considering on revoking the AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir and a state of change is being considered,” he added.

On being asked about decreasing the footprints of security forces in J&K in view of improved law and order situation, he said that the government has already drawn a roadmap for the withdrawal of troops and that the process will be initiated after elections.

“We have plans to withdraw troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. Earlier, the J&K police was not trusted by New Delhi but today they are at the forefront to tackle any situation,” he said.

He said that earlier CRPF and security forces would handle the law and order situation, but now the government has empowered the J&K Police and it is now at the forefront to handle any situation.

“We are strengthening the J&K police and it has now stood on its feet. Most of the encounters are being conducted by the police now. We only give central forces as a support to them and a culture has changed.”

He said that the process for withdrawal for troops has already been initiated, which is why J&K police is at the forefront. (KF)