Lawyers in Indian Kashmir observe strike

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SRINAGAR, Dec 2: (AFP): Lawyers in Indian-administered Kashmir went on a day-long strike Thursday to demand that harsh emergency laws be revoked in the revolt-hit region. The draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) were introduced in 1990 to give the army and paramilitary forces sweeping powers to detain people, use deadly force and destroy property. "The one-day strike was called by Kashmir Bar Association to demand revocation of AFSPA and DAA," G.N.Shaheen, general secretary of a local bar association, told AFP. Indian Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in October that the law would be withdrawn in certain areas, but later appeared to row back on that under pressure from various groups including the army. Abdullah's pledge was hailed as a significant step in normalising life in the Indian part of Kashmir, where the legislation is detested by locals.