By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 2: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday reiterated that his party has consistently opposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), describing it as a “draconian law” and asserting that it should be repealed.
The chief minister said that the party has always been clear in its position and is not in favour of AFSPA, maintaining that there are other ways to ensure law and order and national security without relying on the Act.
He stated that while law and order and national security are important, the government can come up with different ways and means to achieve these objectives while ensuring that people remain safe and that there is no unchecked exercise of power.
He further said that a balance must be struck between maintaining national security and safeguarding the safety of citizens, adding that this has been his consistent stand for the past 25 years.
The chief minister reiterated that AFSPA is not the right law and should be repealed, and called on the government to introduce a more balanced law that ensures law and order, national security and the safety of the people.
