LG Sinha Rules Out Repealing AFSPA, Says No Need To Review It.

Amid growing voices calling for a review into the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in J&K, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said there is no need to set up a panel to review AFSPA in the region.

Sinha was asked if Jammu and Kashmir feels the need to set up a panel to review or repeal the AFSPA as is being done in Nagaland.

“Do not be concerned about it. I am looking into it. I do not feel any such need (to set up panel to review it),” Sinha told a press conference here.

The Centre on Sunday constituted a high-level committee, headed by a secretary-rank officer, to examine the possibility of lifting the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland, apparently to soothe the rising tension in the northeastern state following the killing of 14 civilians.

Vivek Joshi, who is Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, will head the five-member committee while Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry Piyush Goyal will be the member secretary of the panel. Other members of the committee are chief secretary and DGP of Nagaland and DGP of the Assam Rifles, a government official privy to the development had said.

‘No Demographic Change’

LG Sinha outright rejected apprehensions among some political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir about demographic change in the union territory.

“I outright reject it. I will not react to statements of leaders,” Sinha said while replying to another question.

In bid to address such apprehension, the LG said, a large chunk of local youth have been given employment in hydro power, tunnel and road projects in J&K.

He said it is an attempt to incite people. “We will take people on board,” he said.

In his address earlier in the day to the first ever investment summit, the LG said attempt to create hindrance will be dealt with.

“We will bring down the wall of hindrance (in the development journey of Jammu and Kashmir). We will take swift steps in this development journey,” he said.