April 3, 2019
Attacking the Congress manifesto calling it goes against national interest, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticised it saying that it indirectly helps terrorists and others working against the country. Commenting on various points in Congress manifesto, Sitharaman said, “AFSPA gives special powers to soldiers in insurgency-hit areas – allowing them to arrest, use force and even open fire on anyone breaking the law.” “Why should it be presumed that the powers of security forces are against human rights”, she raised the question. Because of this, the armed forces would lose their morale, said the Defence Minister.
She cited the Congress’ promise to review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and to repeal Section 124A (sedition law) of the Indian Penal Code to attack the party.
AFSPA gives special powers to soldiers in insurgency-hit areas – allowing them to arrest, use force and even open fire on anyone breaking the law. The Congress said it would amend the law “to strike a balance between the powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens and to remove immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture.”
Sitharaman criticized Indian National Congress for the clauses included in a manifesto. She was explaining the term used in a manifesto, ‘To remove immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence, and torture’. She said, “What we understand from this is Congress want to amend AFSPA on these three subjects. But the amendment to these laws will be several times terrorists friendly. People can also claim every such arrest that it was accompanied by sexual harassment or torture. While writing a complaint anyone can write anything which will help terrorists.”
Sitharaman raised a question that is this right in a situation where the arm forces of the country are fighting with their lives to protect the nation from those people who are playing with lives of people and creating terror among people.
She slammed that approach of Congress party doesn’t invoke confidence. Due to this Arm Forces moral will get down. As Congress said a few days before regarding the martyrdom of Pulwama attack victims, she made it clear that Battle casualty in Arm Forces and Operational casualty in Paramilitary forces has the same status. She reiterates that all these terms like enforced disappearance, sexual violence, and torture are used against Army people. “It does not portend well for a unity of the country and the morale of armed forces,” she said, attacking the Congress.
To a question about the welfare measures contained in the manifesto, she said it was not in the opposition party’s character to implement its promises.
Another claim of Congress said that Special powers given to district level officers to have control over social media like Whatsapp, FB to curb rumours and wrong messages will be withdrawn. If such claims will work then what powers authorities will have to have control over the situation?S
ources : NewsBharati
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