Mirwaiz welcomes Kashmir troop cut announcement, Geelani rejects it

SRINAGAR - The moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday welcomed the central government’s announcement of a 25 percent cut in security forces in a year’s time in Jammu and Kashmir, while hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani rejected the move as “patchwork” and demanded complete withdrawal of troops from the state.

The Mirwaiz, welcoming the announcement by Home Secretary G.K. Pillai in New Delhi, said: “We have already asked for phased withdrawal of troops from the cities and towns. It seems that New Delhi has started thinking on those lines.”

Syed Ali Geelani, rejecting the announcement, said: “It is patchwork. We have already said that troops occupy 28 lakh kanals of land. Such announcements have been made in the past but no relief felt on the ground. That is why we want complete withdrawal of troops from the territory of the state.”

Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, a National Conference legislator and former minister, said he welcomed the move. “It is the beginning of the restoration of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Kamal, the younger brother of former chief minister Farooq Abdullah.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also welcomed the announcement, saying it has been a “long standing demand of the party”. “The decision to withdraw 25 percent troops is hoped to begin the final process of withdrawal of troops from the cities and towns,” a party spokesperson said.

Pillai, speaking at a symposium, said: “There will be a 25 percent reduction of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, especially from populated areas, in the next 12 months.”

He said this was being done so “that people don’t get harassed by the over-presence of security forces”.

The proposal to reduce the presence of security forces in the conflict-riven state comes after over 100 days of summer unrest - which started in June 2010 and claimed more than 100 lives - cooled down following official promises of a political solution.