The army chief said this even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pressed for partial revocation of the controversial law in Jammu and Kashmir.
Army Chief Gen VK Singh on Monday said AFSPA was a 'functional requirement' for the armed forces in certain areas even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pressed for partial revocation of the controversial law in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Everyone knows what our view is on this subject. It is based on functional requirement and how the army is supposed to be in a particular area," Gen Singh told reporters in Delhi when asked to comment on demands for lifting Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar said there is a good case for reviewing the continuation of AFSPA since there is a distinct change in the security environment in the state. Army has opposed the partial revocation of the law, maintaining this would hamper its efforts to fight militancy in the border state.
The National Conference(NC) leader, however, acknowledged that the Act had played a useful role in providing much-needed legal protection to the army and para military forces while dealing with insurgency.
"However, now that there is a distinct change in the security environment in the state, there is a good case for reviewing the continuation of AFSPA," Omar said addressing the Chief Ministers conference on national security in Delhi.
"I am not advocating the withdrawal of AFSPA from districts and areas which are still infested with militancy, but a beginning can be made by withdrawing AFSPA from areas and districts which are not affected by the insurgent and terrorist activities," he added.
A Srinagar-based corps commander while echoing Gen Singh's sentiments said army's stand on revocation of AFSPA from parts of Jammu and Kashmir was clear and needed no further elucidation.
"We have already spoken about AFSPA.. There is no change in our stance," General Officer Commanding (GoC) of 15 Corps Lt Gen SA Hasnain told reporters in Srinagar.
"We have already given our explanation. I don't think it requires any more comments," he said.
When asked about Chief Minister's recent statement that AFSPA will go, the Army Commander said "the day it is revoked, you come back to me and I will comment on it."
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