We still need army in J&K: Omar

Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir), Sept 7 (IBNS) Saying that Jammu and Kashmir still needs army powers to maintain peace, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made it clear that complete demilitarization ‘will never happen’ in the state.

“We still need army and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in J&K for maintaining peace and harmony. We must not forget that the state shares its boundary with Pakistan and China and it’s impossible to withdraw forces from the border.So I don’t think there will ever be a complete demilitarization in the state,” Abdullah said here.
“And more so, I don’t believe in kicking out the army from the state. But I can assure that when army role will be decreased, internal security may be handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir police and paramilitary forces. “Stay of the army depends on the ground situation and as the situation improves the army will definitely go back to barracks in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been demanding for withdrawal of AFSPA and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA), and the army from the state.