the Disturbed Areas Act.
New Delhi: Curtains are likely to be drawn on the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in four districts -- two each in Jammu and Kashmir Valley -- as the Jammu and Kashmir Government works on plans to revoke
the Disturbed Areas Act, a prelude for automatic revocation of the Act which gives extra-ordinary powers to Army.
According to sources privy to the developments, the areas which may soon see AFSPA no more in force are Srinagar and Budgam districts in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu and parts of Samba districts in Jammu region.
J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had constituted two Core Groups comprising Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda, Home Secretary B R Sharma Corps commanders of 15 Corps and 16 Corps separately to review the Disturbed Areas Act.
While Khoda and Sharma were the common members, 15 Corps commander was member of panel for Kashmir while 16 Corps commander was member for Jammu panel.
Recently, the high-powered panel comprising state and army officials met here again to review withdrawal of Disturbed Areas Act from some parts of the Valley which is seen as a precursor towards lifting of AFSPA from these areas.
The meeting was attended by the Director General of Police, the Principal Secretary (Home) and Commander of the Army's key 15 Corps (which guards the Line of Control in Kashmir Valley) Lt Gen S A Hasnain during which the issue was debated extensively, the sources said on Sunday.
The panel was expected to meet soon after which a recommendation was likely to be made to the state cabinet for revoking the Disturbed Areas Act from some areas, the sources said.
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