Picture : Twitter / ANI
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has slammed the Congress manifesto . In a press conference she stated that the Congress party’s promise to amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is ‘anti-national and separatist-friendly’ and it will dilute the immunity of security forces.
Sitharaman said: “Is this right that the Congress party’s manifesto promises amendments in the AFSPA? Their promise is anti-national and separatist-friendly, which is an effort to weaken the armed forces. They are trying to dilute the immunity of our security forces.
“Armed forces of our country are putting their best foot forward to protect us. Why should one presume that the powers of security forces are against human rights? Such promises will destroy and finish the morale of armed forces and limit powers of a district magistrate. On one side, Congress said they want to bring the status of martyrs to all armed forces people but on the other, they promised changes in the AFSPA,” she added.
Sitharaman advised Congress to first improve the law and order situation in Jammu & Kashmir before thinking of amending AFSPA.
“Removal of AFSPA is possible if the law and order is at place. But they want to tweak it, only opening windows of little opportunities for those sitting and writing those complaints to put anything as torture or enforced disappearance and sexual violations. By exempting these, who are you helping? Instead, why don’t you work to make the situation better when you can withdraw it in total?” she said
