Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said the revocation of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state would need critical review of the security situation.
"The need and desirability of revocation of AFSPA in various areas of the state requires critical review of the security situation and other relevant factors," she said in a written reply to a question in the Legislative Council.
The Chief Minister's reply came to a clubbed question of opposition National Conference (NC) lawmakers - Shehnaz Ganai, Showkat Hussain Ganai and Bashir Ahmad Veeri. Mehbooba, who holds the Home Department portfolio, said AFSPA was in operation in the state but the Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act, 1997, ceased to be in force in 1998.
The Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act, 1997, ceased to be in force in 1998 with effect from October 7, 1998, she said. There have been demands from many quarters for the revocation of AFSPA. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had pitched for its revocation during his term, but the demand was ruled out by the Centre.
