AFSPA will be gradually repealed in J&K: Mufti

"Keeping in view the improving security scenario, the state government will examine the need for denotifying 'disturbed areas', which have been free from militancy-related incidents for quite some time," Sayeed said.

"Any move to withdraw AFSPA will be a gradual one after taking everyone on board, including the AFSPA gives special powers to the Army to conduct searches and arrests without any warrant in disturbed areas," he said.

Sayeed also said his government is not against the Army acquiring the land but they want the forces to return the land which is not being used by them.

In a reverse to his earlier statement, Sayeed gave credit to the Election Commission of India and the people for free and fair polls in the state.

Soon after assuming office, he raised a controversy saying, "Pakistan, Hurriyat and militants allowed conducive atmosphere for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir."

The decision of the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government to release separatist leader Masarat Alam has dealt a major blow to his party PDP's alliance with the BJP which is in power at the centre. Faced with opposition onslaught, the Narendra Modi government  said the centre was not consulted by the J & K government before releasing Alam. It also declared that national security  is on the top of its priority list.