Decision on AFSPA to be taken objectively: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said a decision on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s demand for partial withdrawal of AFSPA has to be discussed by those dealing with security forces in an objective way.
“I am conscious of the positions (on the demand). All those in charge of security and those dealing with handling all the security forces should sit and objectively discuss,” he told reporters accompanying him on his return from
Maldives.
He was replying to a question on Abdullah’s demand of withdrawal of AFSPA in some areas of the state. The army is opposed to revocation of the act which gives sweeping powers to security forces in counter-terror operations.
Defence Minister AK Antony on Friday made it clear that a decision with regard to it has to be taken by the Unified Command, headed by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and comprising top officials of army, paramilitary forces and state police.