Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Friday that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), giving special powers to the security forces deployed on counter-insurgency duties in the state, is being amended.

Talking to The Indian Express, Omar said his Government was working on a two-pronged strategy to tackle human rights violations and alienation among people. “There is no time bound for withdrawal of the AFSPA... It will be withdrawn during the course of this government, when the trend shows an improvement,” he added.

“While we are working towards normalising the situation in the state, we are also working with the Centre to amend the Act and do away with the most draconian aspects of this law,” Omar said, adding, “I believe it will happen very soon. God willing, once the UPA Government returns to power in the Centre, we will see an amended Armed Forces Special Powers Act, providing a lot of relief to the people.”

Recently, the demand for withdrawal of AFPSA was again raised when two civilians were killed by the security forces at Bomai in Sopore. After the matter was taken up with the Centre by the Chief Minister, the Army conducted an inquiry and indicted five of its own men, including three junior commissioned officers. The Army camp was also shifted from the area.

Apart from bringing about an amendment in AFSPA, Omar said his Government intends to bring the J-K Police force to forefront all over the state. Referring to the “good results” in Srinagar city, he said, “We want to replicate this system in other areas of the state as well.”