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India-Pakistan | ||
India Plans to Cut Troops in Kashmir | ||
2011-01-16 | ||
The Indian government says it could cut troops in Indian-administered Kashmir by one quarter. The region, which witnessed a violent separatist insurgency for nearly two decades, is one of the most heavily militarized in the world.
The government had promised to explore the possibility of reducing troops in Kashmir last year after more than 100 people were killed in widespread protests. It was the worst violence witnessed in the region since it was wracked by a violent Muslim separatist insurgency. The insurgency has abated, but the region continues to be restive. As a result there is still a heavy and visible presence of soldiers across towns and cities in the region. The government does not disclose the exact number of troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, but there are an estimated 300,000 to half-a-million Indian troops. Their withdrawal has been a long standing demand in Kashmir, where their presence is deeply resented by
"That will be one of the confidence-building measures that people donÂ’t feel harassed by the over presence of security forces while they go about their daily lives," Pillai added. Last year, the government removed 16 military bunkers from Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir. The government has also said it hopes to work out a political solution for the region within a few months. | ||
Posted by:Steve White |