Armed Forces Special Powers Act must not be changed- Army Gen Rawat

Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Sunday said that time for revising provisions of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has not come. Rawat said the army is concerned about collateral damage during its operations in sensitive areas of Jammu and Kashmir and North-East India. Rawat's comments come in the wake of recent reports of consultations between Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs to dilute provisions of AFSPA.

The act gives the security forces special rights and immunity in carrying out operations in disturbed areas. Several leaders of Kashmir and North Eastern states had alleged the act was used by the army to suppress their human rights.

"We have never been strong in applying the force the way it could be applied (under AFSPA). We are very concerned about human rights. We are absolutely concerned about collateral damage. So do not get too much concerned because we are taking adequate measures and precautions," Rawat said.