Home Ministry withdraws 10,000 security personnel from J&K after 1 year

The Ministry of Home Affairs on August 19, 2020 ordered pull out of 10,000 security personnel from Jammu and Kashmir after 1 year. The security troops were brought into the region last year before centre took its decision of withdrawing the special status of the former state.

The security troops had been flown in to ensure the maintenance of law and order after the major decision of revoking Article 370 and Article 35A was taken and the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh on August 5, 2019.

The MHA issued an order in this regard, which read that it has been decided to withdraw 100 companies of CAPFs with immediate effect from J&K and revert them to their respective locations.

Key Highlights 

• The Ministry of Home Affairs had sent least 400 companies to Jammu & Kashmir before the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and re-organisation of J&K. Each company roughly comprised of 100-110 men.

• The withdrawal of the troops coincides with the appointment of the new Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha. The former Union Minister was appointed to the post on August 5, replacing GC Murmu who resigned from the post on the same day. 

• The remaining companies of security personnel will continue to be stationed in the union territory till a second review is conducted by the Home Ministry. 

• Among the total 100 companies that are being pulled out, 40 belong to CRPF and 20 each to BSF, SSB and ITBP. 

J&K committee for economic revival

Within two weeks of taking charge as the new Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha had constituted a special committee to work out modalities for the economic revival of the union territory. The committee is expected to extend its support to the business community of the region. This was announced during an interaction with the representatives of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Besides this, the J&K Lt Governor has attempted to reach out to different sections of the society including vice-chancellors to improve the education system and representatives of local bodies for implementation of development schemes. 

Also read: Lt. Governor forms committee for economic revival of Jammu and Kashmir

Background

The centre had positioned over 40,000 additional troops in Jammu and Kashmir before revoking Article 370 and dividing the erstwhile state into two UTs on August 5, 2020. The troops were position in all sensitive areas where law and situation were expected to arise. However, there have been no incidents of violence anywhere across the union territory in recent days.