Disturbed Area Act, Special powers to forces ratified by JK Assembly

Srinagar, Aug 2 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig today clarified in the Legislative Assembly that the Disturbed Area Act and Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in place in the state are the acts ratified and extended by the Assembly.

Immediately after the Zero hour was over in the Assembly, Mr Baig made a brief statement in the house, that the Disturbed Area Act and Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as promulgated by the Governor during Governor's rule.

He said subsequently during President's rule, these Acts were ratified by the constitution.

He said when the state Assembly was constituted in 1996, these promulgations were brought to the consideration of the House which decided to continue these Acts.

Chief Minister was replying to a question by leader of the opposition Abdul Rahim Rather that National Conference did not promulgated the Acts or extended them during their rule.

On this Mr Baig had yesterday said he will apologise to the House if he was incorrect while Mr Rather said he will resign if he was proved wrong.

Mr Baig said he was not accusing National Conference or asking for Mr Rather's resignation but wants to clear the records.

He said it is the Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Area Act, 1997 and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1997 which are in vogue in the state.

He said under section three of the Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Area Act, 1997, the state government is empowered to declare an area or part of it as disturbed area, entire Jammu province was brought under the preview of the Act on August 10,2001 by then state government.

UNI BAS AK GC1835