The Defence Minister Mr. A. K. Antony has said that his discussions with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah on partial removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in the State will continue. Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of a defence function in New Delhi this evening, he said that though they had a frank and fruitful discussion on the issue, it remained inconclusive.

Mr. Antony said that this is a sensitive issue and no time limit could be attached to it before a decision is reached as it has to be dealt in a mature and cool manner. 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 Defence Minister Mr. A K Antony yesterday and discussed partial removal of AFSPA. Today, he met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, and Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi 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 Army and aspirations of the people.