SRINAGAR: Eighty four security camps and bunkers were removed in Jammu and Kashmir since January 2009 with the highest number of 22 such structures vacated in 2010–the year when the Valley witnessed a massive agitation leaving over 120 persons dead.
Most of the camps and bunkers were removed from summer capital Srinagar during the previous NC-Congress regime, while only six such structures were vacated since the PDP-BJP Government came to power in the State, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who holds the Home Portfolio, said in a written reply in the Assembly here.
Replying to a question by opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister said a total of 258 camps and 18 bunkers were existing in the Valley as on 1st January, 2009 – the year when Omar took over as the Chief Minister.
She said Srinagar accounted for the highest number of 117 camps and 11 bunkers followed by Sopore township of Baramulla District (35 camps), Kulgam (27 camps), Pulwama (23 camps, three bunkers), Budgam District (20 camps, one bunker), Anantnag (13 camps), Bandipora (eight camps, one bunker), Kupwara (five camps, two bunkers), Shopian (five camps), Baramulla (four camps) and Ganderbal (one camp).
Of these, 84 structures – 69 camps and 14 bunkers – were removed from towns and cities with effect from 1st January, 2009, the Chief Minister said.
She said the highest number of 41 camps and 10 bunkers were removed from Srinagar followed by eight in Kulgam, seven camps in Sopore township, five camps each in Pulwama and Shopian Districts, two camps and one bunker each from Bandipora and Kupwara Districts.
Among the bunkers removed included the one in Handwara town of Kupwara District where five persons, including a woman were killed in security forces firing following massive protests over the alleged molestation of a girl by a soldier in April – the month when Mehbooba took over as the Chief Minister of the State.
Giving year-wise break-up, the Chief Minister said the highest number of 22 camps and bunkers were removed in 2010 followed by 19 next year.
Fifteen such bunkers and camps were removed in 2012, 11 in 2009, eight in 2013, five in 2015, three in 2014 and one in 2016, she said.
Omar Abdullah-led government started the process of removal of bunkers from various parts of the Valley especially Srinagar to reduce the footprints of security forces – a recommendation of the all-party parliamentary delegation that visited the State in September 2010 to take stock of the situation following the death of over 120 persons in street protests.
Mehbooba said while there was no security camp or bunker present in Ladakh region, no camp or bunker was removed from Budgam and Ganderbal Districts till date. Of the eight camps in Kulgam District, four were removed in 2009 and three in 2010, the Chief Minister said.