AFSPA withdrawal a complex issue: new BSF chief

New Delhi: Revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir was a complex issue and there was ‘no simplistic solution’ for the demand, Border Security Force (BSF) Director General U.K. Bansal Tuesday said.
‘All I can say is that an appropriate decision will be taken by the government in the larger interest of the country and the region, which is being discussed and BSF will implement it,’ Bansal told reporters here.
Bansal was till Monday the secretary (internal security) in the union home ministry and took over his new assignment with the BSF here Tuesday.
The BSF is entrusted with security duties in Jammu and Kashmir along the borders with Pakistan.
The 1974-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer said an appropriate decision on the issue would be taken by the central government in the larger interest of the country.
Asked whether the force has sufficient immunity and if it works without the cover of AFSPA, Bansal, an Uttar Pradesh-cadre officer, said the special powers were available to the armed forces of the country under special circumstances and since the BSF was one of the armed forces, it too got covered by the law.
‘The BSF does not make policies. But it is in forefront of implementing policies with regard to border-guarding and border management,’ he added.
On infiltrations in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the figures this year were down compared to previous years. ‘However, successful infiltration is roughly at the same level as last year.’
About 2.22-lakh strong, the force also guards the India-Bangladesh borders, besides being involved in anti-Maoist operations in the country.