Centre orders pull out of 13,000 CRPF men from J-K

The Centre decided to withdraw over 13,000 CRPF personnel from Jammu and Kashmir after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed the state police to take the lead role in maintaining the law and order.

The Centre on Wednesday decided to withdraw over 13,000 CRPF personnel from Jammu and Kashmir after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed the state police to take the lead role in maintaining the law and order.

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"The security personnel will be out of Jammu and Kashmir by February 15. The roll back of the 133 companies (around 100 personnel in each company) would take place in three phases," a senior CRPF official said.

After taking over the charge of Chief Minister, Omar has made it clear that the Jammu and Kashmir Police must take the lead role in tackling the security situation of the state and assistance of the central forces could be taken only when there is a necessity.

Of the 133 companies, 80 were deployed for maintaining law and order during the Amarnath land row. The rest were deployed during the recent assembly elections in the state.

"They have now been ordered to return by the Union Home Ministry," the official said.