It may also be noted that we have more than adequate experience of such troop deployments and redeployments — more than most countries. I have personally been involved in many such situations, including in Mizoram, Punjab (1992-94) and J&K. Political leaders in J&K would recall that after the Parliament and assembly elections in 1996, the army was withdrawn from Baramula, Sopore, Srinagar, Badgam and Anantnag. Paramilitary troops were deployed in these towns to assist the civil authorities and civil police maintain law and order. The militants managed to re-entrench themselves in Sopore after some time. An army formation had to undertake operations to eliminate them and ensure public security and civil governance.

A word on the repeal of the AFSPA. The Act is the legal authority for troops to operate effectively in insurgency- and terrorism-affected areas, when there is the ever-present danger of an ambush. The Armed Forces cannot perform counter-insurgency or counter-terrorist operations without legal authorisation. The requirement of the AFSPA and its authority are already under review. On this issue, my response and advice would be the same I gave to a Manipur CM 17 years ago. The best way out is to create conditions wherein the AFSPA is not necessary. If the state and the Centre do not consider and declare an area to be a ‘disturbed’ one, the AFSPA cannot be applied. Please do not blame the AFSPA for the problems of J&K. The fact is that we have not been able to create good governance and conditions when this Act need not be applied.

... contd.