Tough long-standing laws that fuel much of the unrest in Indian-held Kashmir could be withdrawn because of a fall in violence, the chief minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday.
The widely detested Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which has been in force since 1990 across Indian-held Kashmir gives security forces sweeping powers on detention, shooting of alleged militants and destruction of property suspected of being hideouts.
Omar Abdullah, speaking after a meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi with Home Minister P Chidambaram, said progress could be made towards relaxing the laws.
“Omar Abdullah said the gradual improvement in the security scenario and restoration of peace has paved the way for revocation of AFSPA in peaceful areas of the state,” a statement from his office said.
