Chief Minister Omar Abdullah speaks during a press conference in Srinagar.—AFP

SRINAGAR: Tough laws that fuel much of the public unrest in the disputed state of Indian-administered Kashmir could be withdrawn due to a fall in violence, the region's chief minister said Wednesday.

The widely-detested Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) gives security forces sweeping powers on detention, shooting of suspected militants and destruction of property suspected to be used as hideouts.

It has been in force since 1990 across Indian-administered Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region of north India where a 20-year insurgency against rule from New Delhi has cost tens of thousands of lives.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, speaking after a meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi with Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram, said progress could be made towards relaxing the laws.

“Omar Abdullah said that the gradual improvement in the security scenario and restoration of peace has paved the way for revocation of AFSPA in peaceful areas of the state,” a statement from his office said.

Earlier this year, UN special rapporteur Margaret Sekaggya demanded the Indian government repeal the AFSPA.