AFSPA to go from certain areas within some days: Omar

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday said that the laws imposed in the State on the start of militancy (AFSPA) will go from certain areas within next a few days.
“With the gradual improvement in the security situation and return of peace, some laws (AFSPA) are being removed from some areas within next a few days”, he said adding that return of peaceful situation has paved the way in this direction and these laws would be revoked from all parts of the State with the restoration of peace and tranquillity.
Addressing Police Commemoration Day function at Zewan near here, the Chief Minister played down the speculation reflected by some about the maintenance of security situation in these areas by J&K Police after removal of AFSPA. He said J&K Police is capable to shoulder the responsibilities in this regard with capacity and calibre.
“The return of peace in the State is due to the sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir Police along with other forces”, he said elaborating that the J&K Police is capable of maintaining peaceful situation and blunting any threat in this regard. He said there is no need of any fear on this count.
Omar Abdullah said that his Government has always believed that the dividends of peace should reach to the people and laws imposed at the start of militancy be removed with the gradual improvement in security and law and order situation. “We want peace to restore across the State so that all laws imposed are revoked”, he added.
Paying rich tributes to police martyrs, the Chief Minister said that the sacrifices they have made in the State and elsewhere in the Country to counter militancy, safeguard the lives and property of the people and maintain peace would always earn respect and commemoration of Nation for them. “They would always be remembered for laying their lives for the cause of the people and the Country”, he added.
On current year’s peaceful summer, the Chief Minister attributed it to the police force in general and people in particular saying that the return of peace this summer after three continuous summer disturbances was possible because of positive contribution of general public.
“Though attempts were made to ignite disturbance and exploit public sentiments yet the people refused to fall prey to the designs of vested interests”, he said showering praises on them for exhibiting this kind of matured and responsible attitude. He said that many measures including constant public-police rapport during this year also contributed positively in this direction.
The Chief Minister said that all of us should join hands and work together to help permanent restoration of peace in the State so that the benefits of development percolate to the people down the lines. He expressed the hope that the next year will again witness improvement in peace and security situation in the State. He asked the stakeholders in peace and development to continue their efforts in this direction during the months of winter to secure peaceful and tranquil summer in next year.
Remembering the martyrs, the Chief Minister assured their next of kin that government would do whatever possible for the welfare and betterment of police martyrs. “We have already initiated so many schemes for the welfare of police martyrs’ families”, he said adding that whatever more is required in this direction would be done.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General Police, Kuldeep Khuda said that the endeavours of security agencies and J&K Police have resulted in peaceful and conducive atmosphere in the State. However, he added that further efforts are required to restore permanent peace across the State.
The DGP said that during the last 9 months of the current fiscal more than Rs. 7.50 crores have been provided to the next of kin of martyrs in the form of special welfare relief while Rs. 75 lakhs have been provided in the form of ex-gratia relief and about Rs. 25 lakhs as scholarships to the children of martyrs. He said Rs. 73.25 lakhs have been provided as loan in favour of 202 police personnel while the injured SPOs have been given Rs. one lakh each. He said that as many as 669 police employment has been provided to the next of kin of the police martyrs.
Minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for Medical Education, R. S. Chib, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Haj and Auquaf, Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Advisors to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul and Devender Singh Rana, Legislators, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan and Javid Mustafa Mir, senior police and civil officers were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister and other dignitaries laid flower wreaths over the memorial of the martyrs. The role of honour carrying the names of the martyrs was also carried by a contingent of J&K Police Band and all the people present on the occasion remained standing during its passing to pay respects to those who have laid their life for the cause of people and the Nation.