Srinagar, Apr 25: To instill a sense of security among people and to minimize the footprints of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Srinagar, several battalions are most likely to be moved out at the end of this summer.
CRPF would be replaced by Indian Reserve Police (IRP) of J&K Police and a proposal of immediate raising of five more IRP battalions has been mooted for final nod from Union Home Ministry (UHM).
The withdrawal of some battalions of CRPF would be second step to instill sense of security among the people. In the first step the removal of CRPF bunkers from Srinagar has been started and the process is going on.
Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda told Greater Kashmir that replacing of CRPF by IRP is in offing; however it might take some time. “We have mooted proposal to raise five more IRP battalions, so that replacement can take place. We are waiting for final nod from UHM and are hopeful for a positive reply,” the DGP said.
Khoda added that after raising the battalions, the cops have to undergo training. “It might take some time. They (cops) have to undergo training, but definitely there would be replacement,” DGP said.
However another senior police officer said that for phased removal of paramilitary personnel from Jammu and Kashmir, 50 more police battalions are to be raised for deployment in trouble prone areas of the State to maintain law and order.
A senior official of CRPF on the basis of anonymity said that the government had removed 43 bunkers from Srinagar so far and at the end of this summer some CRPF battalions are most likely to be moved out from valley. He said that earlier they have moved out three battalions of CRPF from Kashmir. “There are indications that some more battalions would most likely be moved out from Srinagar at the end of this summer,” the officer said. “There is visible change in security scenario and a noted decline in militancy. Situation calls for phased withdrawal,” he said.
He added that some CRPF battalions would get engaged for Amarnath Yatra and others are assisting J&K Police in law and order and anti-militancy operations. The officer said that the proposal to de-induct two CRPF battalions, who were called in to contain the volatile law and order situation during the summer unrest of 2008 and 2010, have also been put on hold because of proposed move of some more battalions at the end of this summer.
Inspector General (IG) of CRPF Sudhir Pratap Singh, who replaced Dr Ravi Parsad, said that he has taken charge of the post a day ago and is not familiar with the situation. “To comment on the issue would be unfair as I am new to valley,” he said.
Presently, 52 CRPF battalions are operating in Kashmir valley. Amongst them 25 battalions are operating in Srinagar district while 27 battalions are deployed in other districts of north, south and central Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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