Jammu: A total of 35,000 troops have been
withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir and their camps closed during
the reign of the current NC-Congress government, Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah said today.
"35,000 soldiers have been withdrawn and their camps
closed in the state during the period," Abdullah told the
Legislative Assembly while replying on the grants of Home,
General Administrative Department, Planning and Development
department and Power departments.
"We did this slowly and without launching a campaign
to gain popularity," he said.
He said that as and when the security situation
improves, the army footprint will be decreased.
The strength of the CRPF has decreased, BSF has
decreased and the CRPF is replacing army in Road Opening Party
duty on the highway, he said.
"We have removed several bunkers in Srinagar city and
did not allow construction anymore," he said and added that
the state police was being brought at the forefront for
security duty.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 19, 2010, 00:06