By IANS,
New Delhi : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that withdrawal of paramilitary forces from the state was an ongoing process and no time limit had been set for it.
“It is an ongoing process. At least six (Central Reserve Police Force) CRPF battalions have been removed and two Indian Reserve Battalions have been inducted… it is an ongoing process… there is no deadline,” Abdullah told reporters after meeting union Home Minister P. Chidambaram here.
He said the state government might change the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the CRPF. The state and central governments were considering some security related issues and political initiatives for Jammu and Kashmir, he said, but declined to divulge details.
Abdullah said the two attacks on Monday on CRPF troopers in the Kashmir Valley were raised during the meeting with Chidambaram. Asked if there was any security lapse in the Monday attacks in which two troopers were killed, Abdullah said initial information suggested that the SOP had not been followed properly.
“We did discuss the two incidents involving the security forces. Clearly, some changes in the SOPs which have been laid down need to be effective. Instructions have been given which need to be circulated down the line. A little more strengthening is required, which is being done,” he said.
Abdullah said the state government has “close level interaction with the central government, particularly the home ministry”.
“Especially now, when Jammu and Kashmir is going through a transition from post militancy to handling the law and order situation,” he said.