SRINAGAR; 11, Sep 2012: As the attacks by Maoists and militants in North East are on rise, the paramilitary CRPF would be withdrawing one of its battalion from Valley and deploying it in Naxal-hit areas and Assam.
“We would be de-inducting one battalion from Kashmir in the coming days,” CRPF spokesman Sudhir Kumar told media.
A battalion comprises 1200 men.
Kumar said the paramilitary CRPF men would be withdrawn from Srinagar, Islamabad, Baramulla and other areas.
“The relieved battalion is likely to be posted in Assam, where there is need for deployment of security men to maintain internal security,” he said.
Another senior CRPF official, pleading anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media, said the CRPF battalion would be deployed in ‘Left wing extremism area’.
“The relieved CRPF men would be deployed in the region to take on left wing extremists. The level of violence in Maoist-hit areas is much higher than what is in Kashmir,” he said adding India is facing a real challenge to its security.
The CRPF spokesman said three battalions have already been de-inducted from Kashmir since 2009.
He said he was unaware how the void created by de-induction of CRPF battalion would be compensated in Kashmir.
About 57 CRPF battalions are presently deployed in Kashmir.