The Army on Saturday expressed the hope that government will take a “correct” decision on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which it maintained was an “enabling provision” that is not “arbitrary”.
In the midst of a raging debate on the application of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh said there were “different” opinions on the issue and it was in deliberation with the government. “The question is under deliberation with the government. Everybody has a different opinion about it and I think our leadership is considering it in all aspects. It is an enabling provision.”
“It is not something which is arbitrary and I think the government will take a correct on what is to be done about it,” he told reporters here on the sidelines of a function at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) here. Asked if the AFSPA breached any contemporary international convention, Gen. Singh said “No. The Supreme Court has very clearly held that the provisions of the AFSPA are neither arbitrary nor are they against the Constitution of India.”
The Army has given its views on the issue to the government which he said will take the “correct decision”.