AFSPA needed, legal protection must for troops: Air chief

The IAF today justified the need for the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), whose removal has been demanded by the Jammu and Kashmir government, saying "legal protection" is a must for the troops to efficiently perform their tasks.

"A soldier fighting anywhere at the request of the government and not voluntarily, must have legal protection otherwise he would be left inefficient to complete the job in which either the central or the state government has interest in," Air Chief Marshal PV Naik said while addressing the annual Air Force day press conference here.

The IAF chief was asked to comment on the need for AFSPA for the troops to operate in areas such as Jammu & Kashmir and some parts of the North-east states.

J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah and various human rights organisations have been demanding the withdrawal of the Act.

On the issue of withdrawal of the Public Safety Act in J-K, Naik said it was government's prerogative to take a decision and refused to further comment on the issue.