BJP holds emergency meet on AFSPA, as CCS will discuss J-K situation on Monday

NEW DELHI - Top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) held an emergency meet at senior BJP leader L.K. Advani’s residence here to discuss the proposed relaxation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP stands against any dilution of power and authority of the security forces in J and K and wants the government to give serious weight to the views expressed by the army and other security agencies.

Speaking to the media, BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad reiterated the party’s stand.

“The BJP will always oppose any dilution of authority of the security forces who are fighting with their lives against these separatists…please don’t take any decision about J and K under the pressure of votebank politics…give due regard to the assessment of security forces,” said Prasad.

Reacting to the ongoing tension in the Valley, the BJP also said that the J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been alienated completely and that it would be best for him to go. It also said that the Centre lacks vision so far as the situation in J and K is concerned.

Earlier in the day, condemning the violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday opposed any dilution of the authority of the armed forces in the Valley.

BJP said the violence is being instigated by Pakistan’s Inter State Intelligence (ISI).

“The real face of the Hurriyat and the separatists has been masked. It started with stone throwing, and now, there is open arson of public property, including government offices. The BJP condemns it out rightly. Obviously, all this is being done under instigation from their handlers across the border, having the patronage of ISI,” said BJP’s chief spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi.

Prasad also opposed a proposed move of the federal government to partially withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas.

“The BJP would always oppose any dilution of the authority of the security forces, armed forces who are fighting with their lives to secure Kashmir against the separatist and elements supported from across the border. We would like to remind that Mr. Omar Abdullah was surprisingly absent from the Valley. He was sitting in Delhi. It is important for him to control these elements,” he added.

The Act empowers security forces to carry out operations, to shoot, arrest and search, once an area is declared disturbed.

The authorities clamped an indefinite curfew in Srinagar, and other towns on Sunday (September 12), in the wake of widespread violent protests following Eid prayers.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq for inciting violence.

A mob set on fire a police barracks and torched a police vehicle on the banks of the Dal Lake on Saturday (September 11). (ANI)