New Delhi: Demanding the repeal of Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, Left parties and LJP on Thursday said they will raise the issue of Kashmir in the coming Parliament session.
At a press conference here, Left front leaders AB Bardhan (CPI), Prakash Karat (CPI-M), Debabrata Biswas (Forward Bloc) and LJP president Ramvilas Paswan accused the government of going back on its promise of limited revocation of AFSPA and demanded the setting up of a parliamentary panel to discuss the situation in Kashmir.
"It is important to draw the attention of the country to what is happening in J and K. Though militancy has come down in the Valley, the oppressive military regime continues there. The army should be there to protect the border and to check infiltration only," Karat, CPI (M) General Secretary, said.
"I don't understand why the army continues to argue for this law. The government must take a political decision and we will continue to demand for its (AFSPA) review, he said.
Terming AFSPA, Disturbed Area Act and Public Safety Act as 'draconian' laws, he said "in last year's all-party meeting called by the Prime Minister we were given a clear and unwritten understanding that AFSPA will be revoked from some parts of the state. But the government has backed out from its limited revocation."
"In Manipur, Irom Sharmila has been on fast for the past 11 years against this Act. We feel this Act should be repealed from there also", Karat said.
On Public Safety Act, Karat said "there is a daily harassment of people. I see a vested interest for continuing PSA under which children of 12-13 years are detained in jails. The Constitution does not apply, the law does not apply (there) and there is impunity to whatever they (armed forces) do."
Government continue to talk of a political process but no political process can continue when there is daily harassment of people there... People in J and K are also Indians and it is our duty to see they get their rights, Karat said.
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