Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS) is bracing for a major showdown with the government over the proposed dilution of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
It is Jammu versus Kashmir again. Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS), a loose alliance of saffron parties, lawyers, traders and business houses, that spearheaded a two-month agitation for restoration of 39.88 hectare of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board in 2008, is bracing for a major showdown with the government over the proposed dilution of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
SASS, which has rechristened itself Sangharsh Samiti (SS), held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday and decided to launch an agitation in case AFSPA was diluted or withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir.
“It was unanimously resolved that the present turmoil in Kashmir is due to the inaction of the central and state governments. Even chief minister Omar Abdullah supporting the agenda of separatists and anti-nationals,” SS spokesman Ravinder Raina said.
He warned that in case AFSPA was diluted or withdrawn, nationalist forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir would take to the streets.
“Armed forces must not be demoralised. They should not be prevented from acting against anti-nationals and terrorists by curtailing their legal rights [under AFSPA] since they have to function in extraordinary circumstances and need special legal protection,” Raina said.
The political situation in Jammu is changing rapidly, with National Panthers Party (NPP), which has three MLAs, opposing repeal or dilution of AFSPA and grant of autonomy to J&K.
“Repeal or dilution of the Act would amount to capitulation to those who repudiate India’s sovereignty,” Harsh Dev Singh, working chairman of NPP, said.
He slammed the Centre for not inviting NPP to the all-party meeting. “While the other two regional parties — NC and PDP - were invited, we were left out. It appears that the Centre wanted to ensure participation of only those who are favourably inclined to repealing AFSPA,” Singh said.
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