ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT
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    • ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT
    This act has been in the news of late with the critics accusing it to be a colonial relic on the lines of Rowlatt Act while more sombre elements calling for restraint in either amending/withdrawing such an act from troubled state of Jammu & Kashmir. Debates were held in TV Channels as to how the government was deaf to demands of people of Manipur and North eastern states facing insurgency problems from Naga militants, to withdraw this draconian order while in the case of eternally troublesome Kashmir, UPA government is toying with the idea of succumbing to pressures. Fortunately the separatist elements have spurned the offers of talks and by resorting to violent on ID day- have demonstrated that such a hasty step will aggravate the situation from which not even Jagmohan could retrieve Kashmir for India. As BJP pointed out rightly so, it is the question of Kashmir and not Muslims when Government talked about relaxing or withdrawing some provisions of this Act in parts of the valley in view of Ramzan. Omar Abdullah to escape criticism for non performance of his elected Government, wanted a face saving exercise. UPA should be careful while doing it. Dissensions in the cabinet with senior Ministers like Pranab and Antony reluctant to amend/withdraw the act, with Home Minister Chidambaram fighting a lone battle, have forced our PM to do a re-think as otherwise he would have willingly done it to enhance his prestige which he values more than the honor of the Country. 

    Now tell me,  why is so wrong that  the provisions of the Act provide  some immunity to the Security forces while given the task of law enforcement among separatists, and militants. Even Parliamentarians have immunity. Supreme Court let off JMM MPS from the Bribery scandal citing constitutional immunity. Army is entrusted the task of law enforcement only when the civilian administration has miserably failed. If you take away the special powers, what would they do? The lessons of IPKF getting squarely beaten in their efforts to control LTTE because, LTTE used human sheilds is a case in point. Without adequate powers, violent mobs, stone pelting men, virulent elements, militants could not be controlled. there is no human rights when the existence of humanity is at stake due to arrogance and highhandedness of the militant outfits who indulge in loot, arson, civic commotion, etc. Even before such a step is taken mobs set fire to Government buildings and police outposts in Lal Chawk. UPA Chairperson should intervene in this debate and ensure that nothing is done to undermine the prestige our armed forces whatever the provocations. 
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