Indian gvt should pay heed to Army chief''s words on AFSPA: BJP

Jammu, Feb 16 (PTI) Emphasizing that a hasty decisionregarding the demand for withdrawal of AFSPA from Jammu andKashmir could boost militant activity in the state, BJP todaysaid the Central Government should not ignore the remarks madeby Army Chief General V K Singh here.

"We warn that any hasty decision about Armed ForcesSpecial Power Act (AFSPA) or troops withdrawal could offer aboost to militant activity while dangerously demoralising theArmed forces," BJP State chief spokesperson Jitendra Singhtold reporters here.

"We call upon the Government of India not to ignore theviews expressed by Army Chief General V K Singh during hisJammu visit yesterday," he said.

During his visit to Jammu yesterday to review thesecurity situation, the Army Chief had said that any dilutionof the controversial AFSPA would "impinge adversely" on theoperations of security forces in troubled states of thecountry.

The BJP spokesperson said that AFSPA was enforced with anobjective and those opposing it were doing so for theirpersonal interest.

"Even though the number of militants operating in thestate may have come down, within the past one week, operationseliminating Hizbul Mujahideen militants could be accomplishedonly with the support of military and para-military forces,"Jitendra said.