Antony opposes repeal of Armed Forces Act

Defence Minister AK Antony has opposed the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from insurgency-hit states.

New Delhi, June 27 : Defence Minister AK Antony has opposed the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from insurgency-hit states.

Antony said it was not possible to repeal the act, as it was required to deal with rebels operating from foreign soil.

"To control these international forces, -- terrorists, insurgents, infiltrators -- the army there needs some special powers so they can act effectively deal with them. I don't think the time has come for repeal of the act. At the same time, there is always scope for improvement. There can be amendments made to the act to make it more humane," Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi.

"The country cannot afford a total repeal of the Armed Forces Act in the present security scenario," he added.

A Central panel had on Monday recommended repealing of the draconian AFSPA, which gives soldiers sweeping powers to arrest or kill suspected rebels, with virtual immunity from prosecution.

The Act applies to Jammu and Kashmir and most of the insurgency-hit North eastern states.

In a report on 'Public Order', formally submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, the second Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by Veerappa Moily, recommended replacing AFSPA with a new law that would enable the Centre to deploy paramilitary and Army troops in insurgency hit areas under periodic review.

Critics say the army misuses the act to torture innocents civilians in the region.

Human rights groups say the AFSPA has given the army the licence to kill, torture and rape with impunity.

Other critics say army excesses have only fanned insurgency and secessionist aspirations in restive Kashmir and the Northeast.

ANI