New Delhi, November 11
Defence Minister AK Antony today backed the Army’s stand on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir. He made it clear that the unified command in Jammu and Kashmir would decide which areas can be removed from under the purview of the AFSPA.

Antony, the seasoned politician that he is, also made it clear that there cannot be public debate on the matter. In a way, it is being seen as a hint to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and also to the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to avoid making statements in public on the matter.

The Defence Minister said the unified command would take a decision on the revocation of the controversial anti-militancy law.

Incidentally, the J&K Chief Minister heads the unified command that has senior Army officers on it.

Speaking on the sidelines of the foundation day function of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), Antony, replying to queries, said, "This is a very sensitive matter. As far as our ministry is concerned, we have already conveyed our view to the government.”

Antony added that it was after the discussions last year that the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) took a decision to leave it the unified command in Kashmir to take a decision on this question of partial withdrawal of AFSPA from certain areas.

Yesterday, Omar Abdullah had said that he would not take "no" for an answer from the Indian Army.

On China, Antony said India and China would finalise a new border management mechanism to resolve boundary issues by the end of the year. “Both governments have taken a decision to establish a new border management mechanism. Arrangements are over and by the end of this year, we will officially finalise it,” Antony said.

The new mechanism will help in resolving occasional problems faced on the border. The two nations have signed border agreements on methods of maintaining peace.