Panel likely to examine troop-cut

The Centre, which has firmly ruled out demilitarisation and troop reduction at the current juncture, is in the process of finalising a panel of security experts who can examine the PDP demands which include a gradual withdrawal of troops from civilian areas and the repeal of laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Disturbed Areas Act. The PDP has also raised the issue of human rights violations and cases of mistaken identity by the security forces.

The UPA top leadership had met yesterday at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s residence. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her political advisor Ahmed Patel and the Union Ministers for Home, Defence and External Affairs attended the meeting.

After the Prime Minister briefed him about this meeting, PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had said his party will wait for a final decision by the Centre and had postponed the meeting of its political affairs committee to Saturday.

Azad on the other hand is keen that other political parties in the state, particularly those in the ruling alliance, should be consulted before a decision.

He maintains that the security forces are at a crucial stage in their fight against militancy and no decision should be taken in a hurry.