Date:26/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/26/stories/2007032606581200.htm

National

Troops being withdrawn, claims BJP

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party claimed on Sunday that it had information of troop withdrawal from Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts in the Jammu region.

Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said the Manmohan Singh Government had "buckled under pressure from the People's Democratic Party leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed."

The BJP said its State president Ashok Khajuria had found that an entire brigade was moved out of Budhal in Rajouri district and troop withdrawal was in "full swing" in other areas like Kulhand in Doda district.

"Military pickets had been removed from Shatru, Daschan, Pader, Balesa, Martam, Dharamshala, Puranu and pickets had been asked to "vacate" Tanna Manchi, Manjakot, Khwas, Shahdra Sharif, Kalakot, Tarihat and Dalhori beyond Budhal in Rajouri district.

The BJP said the Government should not compromise on national security for political expediency. It demanded an immediate clarification from the Government and restoration of the Army pickets.