In damage control mode,J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday that the coalition governments efforts towards revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is no reflection on the role of Army in the state. Omars clarification came a day after his party spokesman and uncle,Mustafa Kamal,reportedly blamed the Army for the series of attacks in Kashmir on Tuesday,saying it was an attempt to stall the revocation of AFSPA. Kamal,however,later denied the statement. The removal of AFSPA is in no way an effort to undermine the role of the Army which essentially is playing a major role in the anti-militancy operations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said. It is nobodys case to demonise the Army because it has proved time and again that it is a disciplined force. The Army had reacted strongly to Kamals accusation saying his accusations were not worth commenting about. This statement does not even deserve one bit of the Armys comment, General Officer Commanding (GoC) 15 Corp,Lt Gen Atta Hasnain said. It is absolutely preposterous. On Wednesday,the Chief Minister himself came forward in a damage control exercise,saying the Army had played a vital role in anti-insurgency operations in the state and that the decision on revocation of AFSPA from certain parts of the state was being taken in consultation with them. The impression that is being tried to create that the state government and the Army are working on a divergent path is not correct, Omar said. Even the process of removal of AFSPA from certain areas of J-K is being done in close consultation with the Army and other paramilitary forces. Their inputs and security concerns will be evaluated and considered while removing the footprint of AFSPA from certain parts of the state. Omar said his government had a good rapport with the Army and the statement of his party spokesman had nothing to do with state governments opinion.
