Centre may take decision on amending AFSPA

The Centre is likely to take a decision soon on bringing amendments to the much-criticised Armed Forces Special Powers Act and its phased withdrawal from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is expected to meet shortly, is likely to take a decision whether certain provisions in AFSPA should be amended by incorporating some more "humane" clauses.

Besides, the CCS is expected to explore the possibility of phased withdrawal of the AFSPA in some districts of the Kashmir valley and some in the Jammu region, highly-placed sources said.

The government's thinking comes ahead of a meeting of the CCS to discuss the Kashmir situation "threadbare" which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised a couple of days ago. There are indications that the Centre may take some initiative to break the impasse.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has been advocating amendments in the AFSPA and the phased withdrawal of the law in some parts of the state while separatists have been demanding repeal of the law.

The central government has also been talking of making changes in the AFSPA by including more humane clauses.

Violent protests in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months have claimed nearly 70 lives. Both the Central and the State governments have been talking the need for bringing normalcy back to the state.