Srinagar, Oct 31: To thin the footprints of its forces in Kashmir, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is withdrawing its one more battalion permanently from south Kashmir while the withdrawal of six more units is being planned.  According to sources, the step is being taken as a “Confidence Building Measure.”
 Confirming the development, the Inspector General of CRPF Operations SS Sandhu told Greater Kashmir that that the 18th Battalion of the force is being moved out from Kulgam area of south Kashmir. “The Battalion from Kulgam is being moved permanently. I have written to the Director General of Police to relieve the unit as early as possible,” he said.
 Sandhu said that four more battalions from south Kashmir are being sent to Gujarat for elections. “They would not be moving out permanently. Once the elections in Gujarat are over they will report back to their previous positions,” he added.        
 About the reports of fresh directive from the Union Home Ministry asking the CRPF to deploy six additional battalions in naxal-violence hit areas after withdrawing them from Jammu and Kashmir, IG Sandhu said it is being planned. “As such there is no directive, but I think the withdrawal of some battalions is being planned. Things will get clear in near future,” he said.
 On September 28, the then CRPF, DG K Vijay Kumar had said that the CRPF is gradually reducing its footprints in Jammu and Kashmir. “Slowly and steadily our numbers are reducing. Footprints are reducing. It is a solid and positive indicator,” DG K Vijay Kumar had told reporters.
 Earlier in second week of September one battalion of CRPF was withdrawn from Srinagar on the directions of Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
 As a CBM, around 50 bunkers of CRPF were also removed from Srinagar and the process is on.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST