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Journalism of Courage
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) wants to pull out two battalions,adding up to about 2,000 personnel,from the Valley for re-deployment to Naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh,but is facing stiff resistance from the Jammu and Kashmir government.
We have written to the Jammu and Kashmir government requesting them to relieve the two battalions,but they are not willing to let them go. They say security will be compromised if the forces are sent back, said a senior CRPF officer.
When contacted,B R Sharma,J&K principal secretary (home),said: We will discuss the issue with the Ministry of Home Affairs and then take a decision.
At present,the CRPF has deployed 25 battalions in the Valley. Extra security forces who were called in after the stone-pelting incidents about two years back have remained there.
CRPF officials pointed out that since other security forces,including the Army,are already present in the Valley,such a large number of its personnel are not required in the region.
The CRPF also wants to withdraw a battalion from the three Naxal-affected districts of West Bengal,but is facing opposition from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
There are three districts in West Bengal which are affected by Naxals. After a joint crackdown by security forces in the area during which several leaders were arrested,the situation was brought under control to a large extent. These districts do not require so many CRPF men, said the officer.
The CRPF instead wants to focus on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh belt,as several operations are being launched to mount pressure on Maoist strongholds.
