Address army's concerns before decision on AFSPA: BJP

Demanding that there should be no dilution in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the BJP today said the government should take on board the concerns of the army before any final decision on the sensitive issue.

"On Kashmir, the army and Congress party hold divergent views. The Army wants its rights through the Act so that it can protect the country. The BJP's view is that any decision on Kashmir should be taken after considering the stand of the army," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here.

The cabinet committee on Security (CCS) will meet on Monday to consider options to restore peace in Kashmir, including state government's demand for partial withdrawal of the controversial AFSPA.

Yesterday, the Congress Core Group had discussed the demand for withdrawal of AFSPA from some areas in Jammu and Kashmir but was divided on the issue. 

At the meeting, also attended by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and Congress president's political secretary Ahmed
Patel, defence minister AK Antony and home minister
P Chidambaram aired divergent views on the demands on AFSPA
withdrawal.

Reflecting the security establishment's apprehensions, Antony opposed any decision to even partially withdraw AFSPA while Chidambaram is understood to have emphasised the need for some political action to break the impasse in the Valley. 

Antony is believed to have cautioned that the army should not be projected as a "demon".