Repealing AFSPA must be on priority of PDP-BJP alliance in J&K: SSSC
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 22 2015:
With the speculations of forming government in Jammu & Kashmir in the coming days through the PDP-BJP collaboration, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) has appealed to the leadership of the two parties to take the demand for repeal of AFSPA on a serious note and on priority.
In a press statement, SSSC said that the collaboration of PDP and BJP may be an effort to provide stability of political situation in J&K, but the real objective of government formation, that is respecting people's mandate can be only done though repeal of AFSPA as a top priority.
"We see that joining hands of PDP and BJP was on hold due to few reasons and one of these includes AFSPA also, whereas at individual level, Repeal AFSPA can be not only beneficial for PDP but can also justify this collaboration that is being criticised by many.
It is an opportunity for BJP also to respect rights of people", it said.
"BJP state leadership in Manipur had already promised to repeal AFSPA before parliamentary election but till now, no such action has been taken.
Now, in J&K again, PDP and BJP again show that they negotiated and now agreed to have discussion of phase wise withdrawal of AFSPA.
This negotiation must not be only 'show off' and to pretend before people that parties care about them, instead there must be unconditioned phase withdrawal of AFSPA as a reality on ground", SSSC averred.
It further maintained that the people of J&K are suffering from serious human rights violations, AFSPA has recorded as one of worst acts of India and even many proved cases of fake and cold blooded killings, rapes and impunity counted under AFSPA have come before media, civil society, state and judiciary.
But till now, the act is surviving.
All the efforts of raising demands to its repeal have been failed till now before the rigidity of state.
"Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign is continuously working towards demand of Repeal AFSPA from all regions.
SSSC appeals to people of J&K and leaders and civil society activists of state to come forward to pressurise these political leaders.
AFSPA is against people, against democracy and against justice.
We will continue our efforts towards its repeal", the statement added.