Army to reduce troops by 2 lakh in 2 years, rejig likely in Kashmir: Source

New Delhi: The Indian Army is looking to reduce troops by two lakhs over a period of next two years, according to sources in the defence and security establishment, according to a report published in The Print. The report also added that there “could also see rejig of the Rashtriya Rifles”, the anti-terror units in Jammu and Kashmir, apart from some static units.

The report, quoting sources, claimed that rationalisation of troop strength was an ongoing process and multiple aspects are being looked into.

The deputation to organisations like the National Cadets Corps (NCC) was also being cut significantly, sources said. Another area which would see reduction in deputation is going to be the Regimental Headquarters. “The idea is to ensure that the teeth-to-tail ratio is maintained in a healthy way,” a second source said.

Under the new policy, restructuring in deployment of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in Jammu and Kashmir was being considered, said the sources. While the Union Territory has about 63 RR Battalions, it is unique from other units of the Army.

While the Union Territory has about 63 RR Battalions, it is unique from other units of the Army. Each of the RR battalion has six companies compared to four of a regular infantry formation, and each Company — comprising 100 to 150 troops — is headed by a Major, as per the reports.

The Shekatkar Committee, set up by former defence minister Manohar Parrikar, had submitted a report in December 2016 calling for multiple changes to ensure the armed forces become much leaner, cohesive and modern.

Calls for reducing the number of forces from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir have been made for years but in vain. While stripping the state of its special status in August 2019, the Centre had claimed that normalcy would return to the regions, but human rights groups and independent experts say that the situation has not changed.

On Monday, a report released by the Forum for Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir questioned the Centre’s ‘all is well” and “normalcy returned” narrative. The forum, led by former chief justice of Delhi High Court A.P. Shah, on the contrary argued that civilian security worsened while the sedition and anti-terror laws continued to be abused since the 2019 scrapping of Article 370 provisions. – INDIA NEWS STREAM