Modi government likely to withdraw military from remote areas of Kashmir in phased manner: Report

The Union government is reportedly considering a phased withdrawal of Indian Army from the hinterland of the Kashmir valley. 

According to fresh reports, Narendra Modi government is mulling to withdraw Army from the interior of Kashmir in a phased manner and replace it with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. 

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The Indian Express report has hinted that Union Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs, military and J&K police are working on this plan from around two years. 

A Union Ministry official was quoted in the Indian Express report stating that violence in the Valley has reduced significantly, there is hardly any incidents of stone pelting, and law & order situation has also improved.

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“There is a large presence of Indian Army in the hinterland and it will sit oddly with claims of normalcy,” said official.

Another official has informed that one proposal under discussion is to remove the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of the Indian Army in three phases and replace them with CRPF.

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“As of now government is only planning towards reducing the strength and now removing it completely,” official added. 

As per report, 15000 army personnel could be freed from their deployment in hinterland of Kashmir, when the first phase takes place.