Jammu And Kashmir: Reports Say Centre Pushed 25,000 More Troops to Valley; Ministry of Home Affairs Denies
In addition to 10,000 troops deployment in Kashmir, more 25,000 paramilitary personnel were sent to the valley. According to reports, the troops have started arriving in the state on Thursday morning and are being deployed in various part of Jammu and Kashmir.
Srinagar, August 2: In addition to 10,000 troops deployment in Kashmir, more 25,000 paramilitary personnel were sent to the valley. According to reports, the troops have started arriving in the state on Thursday morning and are being deployed in various part of Jammu and Kashmir. For the rapid induction of paramilitary troops into the Kashmir valley, the Centre has also pressed Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft including the C-17 heavy-lift plane into service.
However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)denied the media reports. MHA sources told news agency ANI, "It has never been the practice to discuss in public domain the details of deployment and movement of para military forces deployed in a particular theatre." The ministry further added that 100 companies had been ordered for deployment about a week ago, which are in the process of reaching their destinations.
"Based on assessment of internal security situation, training requirements, the need for paramilitary troops to be rotated for rest and recuperation, induction and de-induction of central forces is a continuous and dynamic process," reported ANI quoting the ministry sources as saying. Farooq Abdullah Threatens Centre Against Any Move to Abrogate Article 35 A and 370 in Kashmir.
Last week, the Narendra Modi government deployed 10,000 additional paramilitary forces to the state. This development comes after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval returned from a two-day visit to Kashmir Valley on July 26. As per the government, the decision to send troops will help in maintaining law and order in the state which is under the President's rule. Centre Moves 10,000 Additional Paramilitary Troops to Jammu And Kashmir Overnight After NSA Ajit Doval Returns From Valley.
Over 281 companies of paramilitary forces have been received in Kashmir Valley in the last four days, reported India Today. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday said there is no plan to scrap Article 35A. Yesterday, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat also arrived in Kashmir for a two-day visit review arrangement in the valley. Jammu And Kashmir: With Deployment of Troops, Centre Plans to Unfurl Tricolour in All Panchayats on Independence Day.
On Thursday, a National Conference delegation including party chief Farooq Abdullah and former state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to conduct elections in the state by the end of the year. Last week, the top leaders of the valley warned the Centre not to scrap Articles 35 A and 370. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti threatening the central government had said that touching Article 35A would be like touching dynamite.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has raised concerns about India's troop deployment in the Valley. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi after briefing the parliamentary committee on Kashmir affairs said that it would raise this issue on global platform.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2019 10:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).