SRINAGAR, (PTK): “The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should not be politicised. Without AFSPA, the Army cannot function,” said (retd.) Col. Jaibans Singh at a panel discussion on ‘Human Rights and National Security Concerns’ held in Panjab University Indian Express reported.
“If our soldiers are dying, it is a concern for us all. They are not for dying but protecting our nation. AFSPA is the way they can work better in places like Kashmir…” he added. Under AFSPA, the armed forces have the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more persons in “disturbed areas”, use force or even open fire after giving due warning if they feel a person is in contravention of the law. If reasonable suspicion exists, the army can also arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search a premises without a warrant, and ban the possession of firearms.
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