The Hindu : National : No decision taken yet on AFSPA

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Wednesday, Dec 28, 2005

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National

No decision taken yet on AFSPA

Special Correspondent

Committee had submitted report in June

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday was non-committal about the timeframe in which it would review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), giving unbridled powers to the armed forces engaged in anti-insurgency operations in the northeast.

Speaking in the context of a high level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to consider a report recommending the abolition of the AFSPA and incorporating some of its provisions in the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the "decision will be known to you as and when the Government takes a view."

The five-member committee headed by Justice (retd.) B.P. Jeevan Reddy was appointed in November last year following widespread demand in the North-East, especially Manipur, for the repeal of the AFSPA.

The committee submitted its report in June and since then there had been little movement on that front.

Succour for peacekeepers

He said the armed forces personnel who were injured or killed during the United Nations peacekeeping operations would get all the benefits as per the armed forces order.

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