Army to vacate all government buildings in Kashmir

Srinagar Mar 22: The defence authorities in Kashmir have decided to vacate all government buildings occupied by the troops, a defence ministry spokesman said here today.

He said the process of vacating the buildings by the troops has already started.

The spokesman said the buildings, which remained vacant, were occupied by the troops in the past to thwart any attempt by militants to damage them.

Now the things have changed and a process has been started to hand over the buildings to government for the use of public, he said.

He said almost all the buildings which were being used by the education department, schools orphanages and madrasas are now handed over back to the civil administration.

No building of any educational institution being occupied by by the army, he said.

However, he admitted that there are a few government buildings inder the army centre but these are primarily those which are lying vacant.

The occupation of these buildings ensures that government property is properly looked after. This in no way hampers the day to day life of the general populace, he said.

UNI