Jammu, June 13 -- 'Statehood our right; 14,000 teachers on census duty impacting classrooms'

Jammu Tawi, Jun 12: Cabinet minister Sakeena Itoo on Friday said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should be reconsidered in view of an improved security environment in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters here after visiting health facilities, Itoo said AFSPA should not continue indefinitely if ground conditions have improved. "If peace has returned and incidents like stone-pelting have stopped, then AFSPA should be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir first," she said.

The minister said the restoration of statehood remains a legitimate demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "Statehood is our right. We are demanding what existed ...