The Omar Abdullah government has de-inducted three CRPF battalions and removed 39 paramilitary bunkers from Srinagar in a bid to reduce the footprints of security forces in the restive Jammu and Kashmir.
“The foot prints of security forces are being reduced. As many as three CRPF battalions have been de-linked, 39 security bunkers removed in Srinagar city and 52 buildings vacated from forces occupation,” said Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, while winding up the discussion on governor’s address in the legislative assembly.
The government has also identified 15 more bunkers to be removed from the summer capital city as situation continues to improve on the ground. “The improvement in law and order during the last three years is visible on ground. Though attempts were made during last year to disrupt the peace, credit goes to people who denied the vested interests to opportunity,” Omar said.
The icing on the cake, however, is the continuous downslide in the militancy related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir for the last three years.
Figures released by the chief minister said militancy related incidents in 2009 were recorded at 385 in which 71 civilian, 13 police personnel and 52 security forces were killed. In 2010, militancy related incidents plummeted to 268 in which 47 civilian, 15 police personnel and 49 security forces men were killed. “During the year 2011 the militancy related incidents were 192, civilian killed were 30, police personnel killed were 13 and security forces men killed were 18,” said Omar.
Buoyed with encouraging trends about dip in militancy, Omar has decided to step-up pressure on the centre to revoke the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act. “Our efforts for gradual revocation of AFSPA from some parts of the state where militancy has died down and the army has no role to play will continue as it possesses logical reason. I would continue to work for it,” he said.
Omar also called for a comprehensive strategy to solve the Kashmir issue peacefully. “When there are parts of Jammu and Kashmir under the occupation of Pakistan and China, we have to look for a comprehensive strategy to address the issue amicably and peacefully,” he said.
