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Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Wednesday announced reduction in paramilitary forces' strength to the pre-election level in Jammu and Kashmir and said the process of withdrawal had already commenced.
Speaking to newspersons at the Renigunta airport, about 15 km from Tirupati, Advani said the states which had sent in their forces -- especially Assam, Tripura and others of the Northeast -- had called for their return.
Jammu and Kashmir's chief minister-designate Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in his meetings with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also called for their phased withdrawal.
Advani was in Tirupati with his family to offer prayers at the famous Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala.
He said the situation in J&K had improved considerably and hoped the Centre and the new government in the state would work in cooperation to tackle the menace of cross-border terrorism.
''I look forward to increased cooperation between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir to pursue the task effectively in the interest of the people of that state,'' he said.
UNI
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