The Congress proposed a series of changes regarding the security situation in the Kashmir Valley, including reduction in the presence of the Indian Army and central armed police forces (CAPFs), a review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and has promised to not bring any change to Article 370 of the Constitution.
Convenor of the party's manifesto team, MP Rajeev Gowda, told DNA that the situation in Kashmir is "deteriorating dramatically". "During the UPA years, we applied a healing touch but in the last few years, the voting percentage has fallen down to single digits. We have a lot of work to do," Gowda said.
However, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said their stand on AFSPA is the Supreme Court 2016 judgement, where the powers of armed forces were curtailed in criminal offences and sexual violence.
Another key promise is "an approach of uncompromising firmness" on the border. The party also said it will appoint three interlocutors for peace talks, hold free and fair elections for the state Assembly and end discrimination against students from the state in other parts of India.
