Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met Defence Minister A K Antony here today, amid the controversy over lifting the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some parts of the state. Abdullah wants the Act to be withdrawn in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir, on the grounds that the situation has returned to normalcy in these areas.
However, the army is opposed to the move, fearing there will be a flood of cases against it once the Act is removed. AFSPA gives the defence forces immunity in areas where it is in force.
Both the defence minister and Abdullah were tight-lipped about the meeting. “Yes, I have just finished meeting the defence minister & no, I don't intend to speak to the media for the time being,” Abdullah said on Twitter. He had earlier held meetings with senior army officials in Jammu and Kashmir on the issue.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) has backed Omar on the issue of revoking the Act, saying the "draconian law" be repealed and replaced by suitable legislation for the Army.
