‘Withdraw AFSPA, PSA to build trust’

After meeting separatists and families of victims of the recent unrest in the Valley, a delegation of parliamentarians and civil society members asked the government on Sunday to restrict Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and withdraw Public Safety Act (PSA) to build trust with the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

The 10-member fact-finding team comprises parliamentarians LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, CPI leader D Raja and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, among others.

Under PSA, a person can be jailed for two years without bail. Under AFSPA, security forces enjoy impunity. Even a constable can fire at a person on suspicion of his being a militant or destroy a dwelling if he suspects that it is a militant hideout.

“The situation in J&K demands serious and immediate measures. People of the Valley are feeling insecure. There is a huge mistrust among them about the Centre,” Raja said at a press conference.