Not averse to withdrawing AFSPA in J&K, says BJP

“Our understanding is that if BJP comes to power in the state, there won’t be any need of such a law (AFSPA). We will create such an atmosphere where there would be no fear and everything will move forward peacefully and there would be no need of a stringent law,” BJP leader and state party in-charge Ramesh Arora said. Accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who has been advocating partial revocation of the law, for “failing” to secure the atmosphere for any movement forward on the issue, the BJP leader said: “This government has failed to secure the atmosphere (for the law to go). Such a move will demoralise the armed forces besides hampering anti-militancy operations in the state.”

Arora, while condemning the militant attack on the sarpanch of ruling National Conference in Shopian district on Sunday, demanded a probe by the Election Commission into the incident. “The Lal Chowk blast (on Saturday) and the sarpanch killing is political terrorism. We condemn this and demand the Election Commission to order a proper inquiry into the incidents. The administration should cooperate with the election body in the probe,” he said.