Over two years after having recommended withdrawal of various draconian laws governing Jammu and Kashmir including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Vice-President Hamid Ansari who is also Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Working Group on Confidence Building Measures, said on Saturday that the issue to be left to the Central Government and the Prime Minister. Ansari, was in Jhangar to unveil the bust of his cousin the late Brigadier Mohammad Usman — the great soldier and saviour of Noushera.

“The Central Government will decide — Prime Minister will decide,” said Ansari when asked whether it was the right time to withdraw AFSPA from the Valley.

The Working Group headed by Ansari submitted its recommendations to the Prime Minister in April 2007. Apart from withdrawal of various draconian laws including AFPSA, it had also sought a government policy for rehabilitation of the surrendered militants. These recommendations had, however, evoked strong protests from Kashmiri Pandits and right wing Hindu organisations including the BJP.

Ansari said, “This was no occasion to discuss such an issue. It is an occasion to remember a national hero”.