The Congress, which released its election manifesto on Tuesday, promised to amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or the AFSPA, that grants special powers to the Indian armed forces in 'insurgency-hit areas', if the party came to power after the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.The party said in the manifesto, "Amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in order to strike a balance between the powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens and to remove immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture.

"The Congress said that the AFSPA Act and Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed if the party came to power after the polls."The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed. Suitable changes will be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of security and the protection of human rights," the party said in the manifesto.It has also proposed to scrap sedition law if elected to power. 

BJP has reacted strongly to Congress proposals. BJP President Amit Shah said, "I want to ask Congress President do you want to boost the enthusiasm of the soldier fighting at the border or want to deflate their morale" while commenting about amending AFSPA. 

Arun Jaitley later addressing press said, " Some of the ideas are positively dangerous in the congress manifesto. They are for an agenda for the vulcanization of India. Even though there was a drafting committee, but it appears that some of the important points have been drafted by the Congress president's friend in Tukde Tukde gang when it deals with J&K". 

With agency inputs