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| Army statement on Tosh Maidan firing range leaves State Govt red faced | | |
Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Mar 28: The State Government has faced yet another embarrassment after the Defence spokesman based here has said that army has not been given any alternative in order to shift the firing range from Tosh Maidan to some other place.
Defence spokesman Lt Colonel N N Joshi has virtually flattened the claim of State Government that army has been given options to shift the Tosh Maidan firing range to Gurez in Bandipora and Wadwan in Kishtwar district. Lt Col Joshi said that they have received no such order or communication from the State Government.
The statement of Defence spokesman has virtually put the State Government in a tight spot since they have been playing to public galleries. In order to strike an emotional chord with the people more so those living in the vicinity of Tosh Maidan firing range the State Government recently put the blame on army saying that the security forces are not listening as far as shifting of firing range is concerned.
This is not for the first time that State Government has been turned red faced as far as functioning of security forces or allied matters is concerned. The union Government had in Parliament said that they have received no formal submission from the State Government so as to revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information (J&K RTI) Movement has expressed dismay over the statement of Lt Col Joshi that they have not been given any alternatives by State Government so far.
"J&K RTI Movement and Tosha Maidan Bachao Front seek immediate clarifications on these contradictory statements given by Army and Government and seek explanation from Government if they have given any alternatives," said J&K RTI Movement spokesman, Farooq Kuthoo while quoting the Movement Chairman, Dr. Sheikh Ghulam Rasool.
Kuthoo said that establishment order of civil military liaison committee should be immediately made public to avoid any agitation from stake holders. He said categorical order of lease cancellation should be issued before April 16 so that Tosha Maidan is handed over to civil administration and people of that area.
"All the meetings of high level panel constituted by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and civil military liaison meeting reports should be made public immediately. The Government will be responsible for any untoward incident should the lease be extended," said Kuthoo.
He said inhabitants of adjoining areas of Tosha Maidan will go for mass agitation in case if the Government allows extension of lease and dissociate from poll process till they get order of cancellation of lease. He added that mass resignation of panchayat members will also follow should there be lease extension. |
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