‘Time hasn’t come to rethink of AFSPA’: General Bipin Rawat, concerning human rights 

Bipin Rawat

New Delhi: Army chief General Bipin Rawat, while dismissing the contention that time has come to repeal the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (which gives the security forces special rights and immunity in carrying out operations in “disturbed areas” like Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast), insisted that the Army has been taking adequate precautions in protecting human rights while operating in such areas.

Amid the reports of high-level discussions have taken place between the defence and home ministry on the “need to remove or dilute at least some provisions” of the AFSPA, Gen Rawat said, “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 also added, “I do not think time has come to even rethink on AFSPA at the moment.”

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