The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked Defence Minister AK Antony not to go in for troops reduction in Jammu and Kashmir, saying such a step would be harmful for the security of the state and the nation.
BJP state unit president Ashok Khajuria has written to Antony, who is on a two-day visit to the state, warning of what he termed as dangerous consequences if any exercise to reduce troop strength in Kashmir is undertaken.
"The BJP is of the considered view that any move to lower the guard in Jammu and Kashmir would not only prove counter productive but would also help the subversives to accomplish their ulterior design," the letter read.
The copy of the letter has been circulated among the media.
Antony on Friday visited the area close to the Line of Control that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan and also held a series of meetings with the leaders of various groups to ascertain their views on reducing troops in the state.
A panel headed by Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt has already submitted its report to the defence minister on the phased withdrawal of troops from Kashmir and shifting troops out of orchards and agriculture fields, government buildings, schools, hospitals and hotels which they are occupying.
{{/usCountry}}A panel headed by Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt has already submitted its report to the defence minister on the phased withdrawal of troops from Kashmir and shifting troops out of orchards and agriculture fields, government buildings, schools, hospitals and hotels which they are occupying.
{{/usCountry}}This panel was constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on March 30 after the issue raised political temperature in the state and the ruling Congress ally, Peoples Democratic Party, threatened to pull out if the government did not initiate any steps on the troops cut.
The BJP warned that the minister should not play into the hands of those "politicising the security issue".