The CRPF will still have strength of about 60 battalions – each battalion has 1,000 personnel – in the Kashmir Valley. Some other units of paramilitary troops will also be there
Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The Centre has ordered withdrawal of 10,000 troops from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The order, issued this evening, takes effect immediately. The troops were deployed in the Valley in August last year soon after the state’s special status was withdrawn and it was bifurcated into two Union Territories.
“It has been decided to withdraw 100 Coys of CAPFs with immediate effect from J&K and revert back to their respective locations,” the order read.
According to the order, as reported in the media, of the 100 companies, 40 will be from the Central Reserve Police Force and 20 each of the Central Industrial Security Force, the Border Security Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal. The companies will now go wherever they were deployed before being moved to Jammu and Kashmir.
In May, the Home Ministry had withdrawn 10 CAPF companies from Jammu and Kashmir. A CAPF company has an operational strength of around 100 personnel.
But even with the latest withdrawal of forces, a chunk of security forces remain in the Valley.
The CRPF will still have a strength of about 60 battalions – each battalion has 1,000 personnel – in the Kashmir Valley. Some other units of paramilitary troops will also be there.
Jammu and Kashmir was placed under a strong security blanket last August after the Centre’s move to prevent a possible backlash. The other precautionary measures included imposition of prohibitory orders banning large gatherings, withdrawal of phone and internet services and detention of hundreds of political leaders.
-With input from agencies
