India considering troop cut in Held Kashmir

[Naveed Yaseen]

SRINAGAR: As violence ebbs in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK), India is planning to withdraw some troops from towns across the disputed Himalayan region, India’s home (Interior) minister said on Friday.

A partial withdrawal would mark the first troop reduction in the region’s urban areas since freedom fighters started their campaign 20 years ago.

“It is our intention to redraw the lines of responsibility. The army holds the responsibility for conventional defence at the borders and fighting insurgency,” Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram told a news conference.

“The army also comes to the aid of the state in countering terrorism, but we would like the army do it in areas far away from towns and cities.”

Chidambaram did not give a timeframe for the withdrawal. “I cannot fix the time limit now,” he said. “It will take time, but this is the direction.”

Chidambaram said the responsibility for maintaining law and order in towns and cities would be handed to the local police.

The move to reduce troop numbers comes after Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh said this week he was ready to meet Pakistan “more than half-way” if Pakistan cracked down on militants. Islamabad welcomed Singh’s comments.

Experts described India’s decision to cut troops as a sign of changing times. “A strong new government in Delhi is feeling confident to deal with the Kashmir problem,” said Masood Ahmed, a Srinagar-based political analyst. reuters

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_6