Chandigarh: Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh reportedly defended, in strong terms, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a press statement, he said the Congress would oppose any move to review the legislation.
The AFSPA is considered to be a source of massive human rights abuses and the impunity in troubled region of Jammu and Kashmir besides various other parts of India. Human rights bodies have been raising alarm against abuses of AFSPA. There is a strong movement demanding repeal of AFSPA.
On the other hand Indian state and it’s different organs, including political parties, agencies and the armed forces, are defending the AFSPA while pleading ‘unity and integrity’ of the country.
Similar argument has been raised by Amrinder Singh who said: “Our soldiers are fighting a difficult war. They need some legal protection. Mistakes by soldiers are firmly dealt with”.
Congress leader even went on to say that AFSPA was not that the law is being abused or misused.