Two-decade old CRPF camp from Srinagar removed

A two-decade old CRPF camp in Kawdara locality in Srinagar was removed on Saturday as part of an exercise to reduce the paramilitary force's presence from places where it was no longer required.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) removed one of its oldest camps in Kawdara locality of downtown Srinagar as part of a policy decision to reduce the footprints of the force from the areas where it is no longer needed, PRO CRPF Ashish Jha said.

The camp set up in 1990, was housed in three buildings near the main road in the locality adjacent to Rajouri Kadal where frequent stone-pelting takes place, especially on Fridays. Jha said the decision to remove the camp was part of a regular process to review the deployment of the CRPF from those areas where it is no longer required.

"CRPF assists the Jammu and Kashmir police in law and order, wherever and whenever required. We regularly review the deployment of the force. This is a normal procedure," Jha said.

He added that there was no decision yet on removing any other bunkers or camps from other areas of the city.

The CRPF has removed around 50 bunkers from the city since 2010.