New Delhi: The Army’s presence in Jammu and Kashmir, which was made a Union Territory and had its special status revoked, will be phased out and replaced with the paramilitary CRPF. The troops deployed for law and order and anti-terror operations are being withdrawn, but the Army will continue to remain along the border.
The central government claims that normalcy has been achieved and assembly elections can be held. The Rashtriya Rifles, brought in for anti-terrorist operations in 1990, will be withdrawn in three phases, with a trial withdrawal from some districts first.
Attacks on security forces have reduced since the special powers were removed in August 2019, and law and order is now under control. The CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police will take over the duties of the Army.
The Army currently has 1.3 lakh soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir, with 80,000 at the border, and 40,000-45,000 Rashtriya Rifles personnel in charge of anti-terror operations.
The remaining soldiers are responsible for maintaining law and order. The CRPF has over 60,000 personnel, with over 45,000 in Kashmir alone, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police has 83,000 personnel.