Army has provided inputs on AFSPA

NEW DELHI : As the talks get boosted over the removal of AFSPA in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army Chief General V K Singh has mentioned that the Army has provided their inputs on the issue but has refused to detail on the details. 

"This (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) is within the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. They are debating this and we have given our inputs. I would not like to say anything more," he told reporters on the sidelines of Infantry Day celebrations here.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah had yesterday said that the withdrawal of the Act from some districts of the state such as Srinagar, Badgam, Samba and Jammu was in no way an effort to undermine the role of the Army.

"The army is essentially playing a major role in anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir", he had said.

"Even the process of removal of AFSPA from certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir is being done in close consultation with the Army and other central paramilitary forces and their inputs and security concerns will be evaluated and considered while removing the footprint of AFSPA from certain parts of the state," he had said.

The chief minister had said that an attempt is being made to create an impression that the state government and the Army are working on divergent paths, which is not correct.

Omar had said that it is nobody's case to demonize the Army as the it has proved time and again that it is a disciplined force which is governed by certain standard operating procedures.

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Standing Committee Review on Lokpal

New Delhi: Today the standing committee of the Parliament will be reviewing the Jan Lokpal Bill draft and other three drafts of the Lokpal Bill. This move was named a timely act by the government of India considering the fact that this review will be adding to the details on the future bill to be presented in the Parliament.

The congress MP and spokesman Abhishek Singhvi is said to be the chairman of the 31 member committee, who is set to review the Lokpal Bill. Although the civil society has expressed its concern on the inclusion of members who have prejudice on the Lokpal bill and is set to oppose it from coming into effect. The spokesman to Anna Hazare and civil society, Arvind Kejariwal speculated on the inclusion of RJD cheif Lalu Prasad Yadav and Amar Singh in the committee and mocked them to be referees to the Lokpal Bill issue, he mentioned that they will be opposing the bill. Arjun Singh who had recently changed his party to Samajwadi Party has requested the congress for excluding him from the committee, which is still being reviewed by the Government.

Lalu Prasad had expressed his dislike to Anna Hazare and the civil society and had been speaking quite against the team during the special discussion held at the Parliament of India. He is expected to express his dislike towards arrogance of the civil society for not bringing up the bill directly to the standing committee and keeping the request for direct presentation at the Parliament. Sources from RJD camp does confirm this stand of the minister and is reported to continue the disapproval of the current state of Jan Lokpal Bill.

Civil society has also expressed concern over the inclusion of Manoj Tewari, the MP from Ludhiana, and also the spokesman to the congress party. Tewari is also known for his legal brain, and is a member on JPC on spectrum case. He had earlier attacked Anna Hazare of being corrupt and had later withdrawn his statement and also extended the apologies to the Gandhian leader.

There is expected to be greater participation of the teams as this issue is more publicized with the agitations caused by Anna Hazare, also there is note mentioned that there are few members from congress who are not aware of the complete details on the lokpal draft.

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