AFSPA revocation: Army concerns will be addressed, says Omar

Jammu: Remaining firm on revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said Army’s concerns would be addressed.
“The issue was discussed during my meetings with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee ,” Mr Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
The Chief Minister said, “I believe there is ample scope for us to go ahead with what we have decided to do while at the same time addressing some of the concerns of the Army.” On the appointment of a retired Supreme Court Judge to probe National Conference worker Syed Yusuf’s mysterious death, Mr Abdullah said, “If the opposition wants to doubt the credibility of a retired judge of the Supreme Court, then they should take up the matter with the judiciary which is precisely for this reason we have approached the Union Law Minister to recommend names for the inquiry.” He said, “We did not want to appoint the judge from within the state because the opposition will again put question over it. Thus we have got the judge of the Supreme Court.” Mr Abdullah, however, added that if still the opposition is not satisfied then there is nothing he can do.