10-18-2006, 09:38 AM
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<b>Govt contemplating bringing in changes in AFSPA: Army Chief </b>
New Delhi, Oct 18: Government is contemplating bringing in some changes in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to prevent its misuse, Army Chief General J J Singh said here yesterday.
He said in the review being carried out by the Centre with advice from Home and Defence Ministries, <b>the clause under which at present a Non-Commissioned Officer of Army can order opening of fire in the face of civilian disturbance was being dropped.
"Instead it is proposed that only Junior Commissioned Officers would be invested with this authority", </b>the Army Chief told newsmen while briefing them about the deliberation of the just concluded Army Commanders Conference.
He said a bill in this regard might be tabled in coming session of the Parliament. Similarly he was hopeful of a bill for the setting up of the first ever Armed Forces Tribunal might also be tabled during the session.
He said the ongoing<b> Naga talks, which resumed in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, were moving in a positive direction and denied that his forces were equipping or supporting the rival NSCN (Khaplang) faction</b>.
While saying that Ulfa militants were now veering around to negotiations, Singh made clear that Indian Army was not proposing or conducting any joint operation with Myanmar Army against ULFA and other Northeast militant cadres.
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<b>Govt contemplating bringing in changes in AFSPA: Army Chief </b>
New Delhi, Oct 18: Government is contemplating bringing in some changes in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to prevent its misuse, Army Chief General J J Singh said here yesterday.
He said in the review being carried out by the Centre with advice from Home and Defence Ministries, <b>the clause under which at present a Non-Commissioned Officer of Army can order opening of fire in the face of civilian disturbance was being dropped.
"Instead it is proposed that only Junior Commissioned Officers would be invested with this authority", </b>the Army Chief told newsmen while briefing them about the deliberation of the just concluded Army Commanders Conference.
He said a bill in this regard might be tabled in coming session of the Parliament. Similarly he was hopeful of a bill for the setting up of the first ever Armed Forces Tribunal might also be tabled during the session.
He said the ongoing<b> Naga talks, which resumed in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, were moving in a positive direction and denied that his forces were equipping or supporting the rival NSCN (Khaplang) faction</b>.
While saying that Ulfa militants were now veering around to negotiations, Singh made clear that Indian Army was not proposing or conducting any joint operation with Myanmar Army against ULFA and other Northeast militant cadres.
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