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Parties ambiguous on AFSPA repeal

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, April 6 - None of the major political parties of the State have clear cut view on whether the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) should be withdrawn from the State in the wake of dwindling activities of the militant groups.

The Assam Tribune tried to get the views of the major parties on whether the Act should be continued in the State, as a number of organisations have declared the Act as a �Draconian one� and demanded its withdrawal. However, the leaders of the parties failed to give a clear-cut view on whether the controversial Act should continue.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Anjan Dutta said that the law-and-order situation in the State has improved since the Congress government came to power in 2001. However, he expressed the view that it might be necessary to continue the Act in the State for some more time till the situation becomes completely normal.

BJP�s chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal said that there is a need for discussing the issue thoroughly. At the same time, Sonowal alleged that the Congress government failed to give protection to the life and property of the people of the State and if voted to power, the BJP-led alliance government would try its best to make Assam one of the most peaceful States of the country.

AGP president Atul Bora described the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as a �black law�. But whether the AGP would demand the withdrawal of the Act if the alliance government comes to power, Bora said, �We will discuss the issue.� He also alleged that the Congress government has failed to deal with law and order. He further said that the problem of insurgency should be dealt with politically.

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) spokesman Aminul Islam also described the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is a Draconian law. But he added that the law should be used only when it is absolutely necessary and care should be taken to ensure that no innocent person is harassed.

Islam also said that the Congress totally failed to maintain law and order in the State and a series of ethnic clashes took place in Assam during the last 15 years.

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