Govt rules out army's early withdrawal from anti-terror duties

NEW DELHI: Government has ruled out immediate withdrawal of army from counter-terrorism duties even as it noted that a large number of battalions of para military forces were being raised and specially trained to take over the task.

The Government's assertion has been made to key Parliamentary panel which made a strong advocation of withdrawal of army from internal security duty.
     
In its action taken report, the Government has told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence that a decision has been taken to raise a very large number of additional battalions of Central para military forces to be deployed for internal security duties and anti-terrorist operations while making it clear that it was not feasible to withdraw army from such tasks immediately.

Concurring with the Government's decision, the committee, in its report tabled in Parliament today said a "fixed time schedule should be drawn up for withdrawal of army from internal security task".
    
Expressing concern at the growing Naxal menace in parts of the country, the Committee has suggested that a large number of ex-servicemen should be drafted into para military forces as well as state police forces to take on task of operating against the extremist forces.