Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 06 2010:
Though he is in favour of diluting the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Union Home Minister P CHidambaram has candidly admitted in Parliament that the Government is divided over this issue.
Talking about the controversial AFSPA on which the Government is divided as to whether or not to revoke in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "it will be my endeavour to find a way how we can deliver on promise on AFSPA" .
Chidambaram has been in favour of dilution of AFSPA which many sections feel gives extreme powers to security forces.
However, the Defence Ministry opposes any dilution or revocation of the Act, saying it was required to give legal protection to armed forces while operating in peculiar situations like terrorism.
He said the immediate priority at the moment was to restore peace in Kashmir as no Government can allow law and order to collapse.