Over 35,000 Troops Reduced in J&K, Says Omar

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has said that more than 35,000 troops have been reduced in the state in the last 15 months, reported IANS.

“Without creating any hype we have reduced 35,000 troops and also decreased the number of central paramilitary forces from internal duty,” Abdullah was quoted as saying on Wednesday evening.

The main opposition party in the state PDP and separatists have been insisting for long on reduction of troops, for they said that presence of the army in the state was intrusion of people’s day-to-day lives and responsible for human rights abuses.

Besides, ruling National Conference opined that reduction of troops in the valley was necessary for the improvement of security situation in the state.

Nonetheless, the BJP is averse to the step, with leader of BJP legislature party telling the assembly that the reduction of troops will only encourage the militants, said report.

“It will encourage militants to regroup and worsen the situation” he was quoted as saying.

Abdullah pledged that there would further reduction of troops in the state, report said.

“With the gradual restoration of peace and tranquility, the footprints of the security forces in the state would lessen,” he was quoted as saying.

He claimed that ‘the track record of his government’s last one year is testimony to his commitment to zero tolerance to human rights abuses’, said report.