VOA标准英语2011-India Plans to Cut Troops in Kashmir

The Indian government says it could cut troops in Indian-administered Kashmir by one quarter. The region, which witnessed a violent separatist insurgency¹ for nearly two decades, is one of the most heavily militarized in the world.

Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said in New Delhi Friday that the government plans to pull out 25 percent of the troops deployed² in Indian Kashmir over the next 12 months.

"We hope that in populated areas, security forces should be minimum strength, and if possible, if we can manage with local police that would be most ideal situation," Pillai said.

The government had promised to explore the possibility of reducing troops in Kashmir last year after more than 100 people were killed in widespread protests. It was the worst violence witnessed in the region since it was wracked by a violent Muslim separatist insurgency.

The insurgency has abated³, but the region continues to be restive⁴.

As a result there is still a heavy and visible presence of soldiers across towns and cities in the region. The government does not disclose the exact number of troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, but there are an estimated 300,000 to half-a-million Indian troops.

Their withdrawal⁵ has been a long standing⁶ demand in Kashmir, where their presence is deeply resented by residents of the region. Observers say the troops fuel anger against Indian rule.

Pillai said that if there is peace in the region, and there is no violence, then the government will ensure that troop numbers are reduced and the army is used at the borders with Pakistan to prevent infiltration⁷ by Muslim militants⁸.

"That will be one of the confidence-building measures that people don't feel harassed⁹ by the over presence of security forces while they go about their daily lives," Pillai added.

Last year, the government removed 16 military bunkers from Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir. The government has also said it hopes to work out a political solution for the region within a few months.

Kashmir, India's only Muslim majority region is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both countries. They have fought two wars over the region. A peace process which the neighbors began in 2004 has failed to find a solution to their dispute

1 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

2 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

3 abated   

减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼）

参考例句：

• The worker's concern about cuts in the welfare funding has not abated. 工人们对削减福利基金的关心并没有减少。
• The heat has abated. 温度降低了。

4 restive   

adj.不安宁的，不安静的

参考例句：

• The government has done nothing to ease restrictions and manufacturers are growing restive.政府未采取任何措施放松出口限制,因此国内制造商变得焦虑不安。
• The audience grew restive.观众变得不耐烦了。

5 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

7 infiltration   

n.渗透；下渗；渗滤；入渗

参考例句：

• The police tried to prevent infiltration by drug traffickers. 警方尽力阻止毒品走私分子的潜入。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A loss in volume will occur if infiltration takes place. 如果发生了渗润作用，水量就会减少。 来自辞典例句

8 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

9 harassed   

adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He has complained of being harassed by the police. 他投诉受到警方侵扰。
• harassed mothers with their children 带着孩子的疲惫不堪的母亲们