Omar Abdullah calls for demilitarisation in Kashmir

National Conference President Omar Abdullah has urged New Delhi to reduce troops in those areas in Kashmir where militancy has ebbed.

Handwara (Jammu and Kashmir), June 20 : National Conference President Omar Abdullah has urged New Delhi to reduce troops in those areas in Kashmir where militancy has ebbed.

Addressing a rally in Handwara, 70 kilometres from Srinagar, Abdullah said troops in the valley should be pruned to the pre-1989 status.

"We have always been in favour of demilitarisation. Since the time I visited Pakistan, I have been stressing on the need to take up the issue of demilitarisation. We are not talking about demilitarisation, we are saying that troops should be withdrawn from the areas where militancy has ebbed on the lines of pre-1989 era," said Abdullah.

Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee had earlier this month rejected Pakistan's charge that India had heavily militarized the region, saying that security forces were just trying to restore normalcy.

Pakistan claims India has posted some 7, 00,000 troops in Kashmir insisting that their strength be reduced.

Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday said there has been no proposal for demilitarisation from the two expert committees set up by the Centre to examine the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir and undertake a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Pakistan has proposed a troop withdrawal as a first step towards peace but India is hesitant, unsure if a recent fall in violence could be sustained.

ANI