Reducing forces in J&K: Yes or No?

IN view of the considerable decline in infiltration attempts from across the border, the Union government has been seriously thinking of reducing the strength of the security forces deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for some time. Now it has finally made up its mind to withdraw at least 25 per cent of the paramilitary forces within this year as a confidence-building measure. The step will be a part of the eight-point agenda approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in September last year with a view to normalising the situation in the trouble-torn state, as stated by Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai last week. The agenda was finalised after looking into the demands of different sections of society, including the ruling and opposition politicians in J and K. There have also been complaints that youngsters feel provoked to defy the law when they see pickets of security forces in populated areas.
Viewed against this backdrop, even a limited redeployment of forces in the Valley may lead to a noticeable change in the over-all security climate there. The measure may also send across the message that the situation is becoming normal, boosting the morale of the people. The separatists, who have welcomed the Union Home Secretary’s announcement, should do nothing which can force the government to review its decision. The security forces were deployed on a large scale owing to the proxy war launched by Pakistan. The separatists and terrorist outfits were helping Pakistan in implementing its unholy designs. However, the situation seems to have changed for good because of various factors, including the growing international pressure on Pakistan to abandon its policy of using terror to achieve its geo-political objectives.
The Central government is going ahead with various other confidence-building measures also like providing more facilities for people-to-people contacts and promoting trade between the two sides of Kashmir. Efforts are afoot to ensure that more employment avenues are available to the people in the state. But there is need to keep strict vigil on the situation. Complacency on the security front may be exploited by terrorists and their sympathisers. It is not without reason that Army Chief Gen V.K. Singh has expressed his unwillingness about reducing the deployment of the armed forces in the Valley.