Security laws, that have long protected security forces from prosecution, are to be lifted in some areas of Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir announced on Friday.
In a speech to police officers stationed in the region, Abdullah explained that the laws were no longer warranted given the prevailing peace in the region. The announcement comes amidst wider efforts to decrease the security presence in the region.
The law - Armed Forces Special Powers Act - has been heavily criticised by human rights activists, for requires Home Ministry permission before officers can be prosecuted for acts committed whilst on duty in areas covered by the act. Permission is rarely granted, leading to rights activists accusing state officials of effectively sanctioning impunity amongst security forces.
Earlier this year, the mass graves of over 2700 civilians were unearthed in North Kashmir. India has been under pressure to investigate.
See India under pressure over Kashmir mass graves (Aug 2011)
India instated the law in 1990 in response to the rise of insurgents in the region.
Also see Arundhati Roy on Kashmir (Nov 2010)
