By IANS
New Delhi : A controversial law giving unlimited powers to the armed forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations will not be repealed but can be amended to make it more "humane", Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Tuesday.
"The army needs special powers to act effectively (in insurgency-hit areas). The country cannot afford the repeal of the Act," he told reporters here on the sidelines of the centenary celebrations of the defence accounts department.
"The time has not come for the total repeal of the Act. However, if there is scope for amendments to make it more humane, we are not against amending it," the minister added.
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission Monday recommended repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act that gives extraordinary powers to security forces fighting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.
Antony pointed out that the armed forces "were not interested" in performing internal security duties but had been compelled to do so in view of the "extraordinary situation" in Kashmir and the northeast.
"The police and the paramilitary forces found it difficult to control terrorism and insurgency in Kashmir and the northeast. Because the state machinery was not able to control the situation, the army was asked to do so," he added.
In the process, "hundreds of brave soldiers have laid down their lives to protect the sovereignty of the country", Antony said.
At the same time, he acknowledged that "various quarters" were concerned about alleged human rights violations by the armed forces while engaged in counter-insurgency operations.
"We are very much concerned about this. Whenever we get complaints we conduct investigations and if necessary, strong and even extreme action is taken (against the guilty).
"We will not tolerate any violations of human rights," the minister maintained.
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission submitted its 342-page fifth report on 'Public Order' to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday evening.
Apart from recommending the repeal of the Special Powers Act, it also said the central government should be empowered to deploy armed forces in those states that were not following the centre's directions to maintain public order.