Congress Manifesto: “Will withdraw the AFSPA, reduce army presence if voted”.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah feels the Armed Forces Special Powers Act can be withdrawn from some areas in the state with a rider that the army could step in again if the situation so warranted. [...] "I think the time has come where we can start to objectively look at areas from where the AFSPA can be removed with the understanding that if there is a situation requiring the Army to intervene, we can make a temporary sort of return to that," Mr. Omar said. [...] Commenting on opposition to the withdrawal of AFSPA, the Chief Minister said, "No right-thinking person can turn around and tell you that AFSPA should be revoked in one shot. It is not possible at a point where you still have militant encounters and things like that going on.