Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. — File photo

New Delhi, January 28

Time has not come for any rethink on AFSPA or making some of its provisions milder, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has said, asserting that the Army has been taking adequate precautions in protecting human rights while operating in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir.His remarks come against the backdrop of reports that several rounds of high-level discussions have taken place between the defence and home ministries on the “need to remove or dilute at least some provisions” of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The Act gives the security forces special rights and immunity in carrying out operations in disturbed areas. There has been a long-standing demand from various quarters in J&K and the North-East to withdraw it.“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,” he said. “The AFSPA is an enabling provision which allows the Army in particular to operate in difficult areas and let me assure you that the Army has got quite a good human rights record,” Gen Rawat added. — PTI