The Defence Minister Mr. A. K. Antony has said that the partial removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Jammu and Kashmir is a sensitive issue and has to be dealt in a mature and cool manner. He said, no time limit could be attached to it before a decision is reached. The Defence Minister asserted that his discussions with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah will continue. Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of a defence function in New Delhi last evening, he said that though they had a frank and fruitful discussion on the issue, it remained inconclusive.

In reply to a query on the status of security situation in the State, Mr. Antony said that it has improved but infiltrations are still continuing.

Mr. Abdullah had met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, and Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi yesterday on the issue. Speaking to reporters after meeting P Chidambaram, Mr. Abdullah said he is trying to work out a middle path to address the concerns of the Army and aspirations of the people.