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| Return of Army to barracks only after peace in Kashmir: Governor | | | Jammu, March 14
Governor Lt. General (Retd) S. K. Sinha today said that the Army will return to barracks after performing internal security duties once complete peace returns to the State, plagued by terrorism.
“Every other day terrorists kill innocent people and how can their security be put in jeopardy”, the Governor said while interacting with a group of elders here this morning after their return from Watten Ki Ser organised by the Army under Operation Sadhbavna.
General Sinha said that peace is imperative for progress and the Army is supplementing the efforts in restoring complete normalcy in the State. He, however, said that there might be an odd black sheep even in the Army, as such elements are every where in the society. The Army has been taking strict action against any of its personnel found guilty of Human Rights violations.
Responding to the averments by the village elders, eulogizing the role of the Army particularly in remote and rural areas, the Governor said that they were only performing their duties. The Army is for the protection and welfare of the people, he said while referring to the assistance provided during snow tsunami, floods and earthquake. He also recalled the unblemished role of the Army during the siege of Hazrathbal and Chrar-e-Sharief shrines, the latter having been burnt by terrorists. In contrast, he said the other armies did not hesitate in targeting mosques in the wake of quelling terrorism. In this context he cited the examples of Iraq and Waziristan in Pakistan.
“During 18-years anti terrorism operations, the Security Forces not even once resorted to air strikes nor used heavy artillery for fighting terrorists. He exuded confidence that the State Government and the Security Forces would soon be in a position to restore complete peace and normalcy in the State.
Expressing his gratitude to the Army for assistance, Ghulam Rasool Mir of Muqam Shah Wali in Drugmulla Kupwara said that they can not even imagine doing without the Army”. Similar were the observations of Siraj-ud-Din Querishi of Tangdhar who said that if the Army would not have been there, their plight would have been much worse than those living in Baluchistan. He said India is a great nation and what the people from across the border are doing will have least impact on the overall situation of Kashmir. He also spoke high about the Army for taking up restoration and renovation of structures damaged during the earthquake. He made a mention of Radha Swamy Trust besides Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board for raising prefabricated structures.
The Governor referred to his visit to Teetwal, adopted by the Army as a model village and said that nowhere in the country can we see any such village having all modern facilities as have been put in place there.
Ghulam Mohammed from Trehgam Kupwara said that the Army has been rendering lot of humanitarian service including medicare and wanted posting of a lady doctor for treating female related ailments. “When asked about the people and places he visited during his trip and what were his observations, he quoted Alama Iqbal..Sare Jehan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara”.
Mohammed Maqbood Wani, Sarpach, Andrhama, Drugmulla said that the constant help given by the Army should be an eye opener for all those demanding withdrawal of troops, day in and day out.
The Governor hoped that the village elders would spread the message of peace and harmony in their villages after return from the tour. He said that they have a role to educate the people about the machinations of those who were dividing the people in the name of religion and region. Those who are whipping up communal passions are in fact betraying the people who have immense faith in Kashmir’s glorious traditions of amity and brotherhood.
The tour had been flagged off at Srinagar on March 7 and he elders from various parts of Kupwara district visited Jamia Masjid, Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bavan Garden, Kutub Minar, Mumayuns Tomb, Bahai (Lotus) Temple in Delhi besides Dargag Ajmer Sharief, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. They had an interaction with Chief of the Army Staff, General J. J. Singh in New Delhi. |
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