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| CM lauds role of Air Force in protecting human lives | | | SRINAGAR, AUGUST 7
While felicitating Indian Air Force for their valuable and significant role played by them since independence, Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad said that people of Jammu and Kashmir have great respect for Air Force as they were always first to protect them time and again from disasters and invasions.
Addressing Air Force Sector Commanders prestigious annual conclave here today, Chief Minister said that history is witness to the fact that when tribals were plundering people of Kashmir in 1947, it was the effectiveness of Air Force which helped the people to resist the onslaught.
Mr. Azad also recalled the role of Air Force at the time of snow tsunami, which hit various parts of Jammu and Kashmir and also October earthquake in various areas of the state last year.
Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi and other senior officers of the Air Force attended the conclave.
Chief Minister said “situation in Jammu and Kashmir is fast changing and people’s faith in democracy has increased which is evident from recent bye-elections when voting percentage was above national average”. He said that the people have started realizing that militancy has directly targeted their economic resources. He said that at the beginning of the current tourist season, 6000 to 7000 tourists were daily arriving in the valley which helped to a large extent in creating normal activities, therefore, militants in order to hamper the trend of normalcy, directly targeted tourists as a result of which daily arrival of tourist figure has come down to 400 to 500.
Chief Minister complimented Air Force for selecting Srinagar as the venue for holding such a prestigious conference, which will create confidence among people outside the state that Kashmir is as safe as any other place for the tourists. He said that isolated incidents of militancy are not required to be given extraordinary importance because the purpose of militants is only to show their existence by killing innocent civilians and causing wreck to development infrastructure and economy.
Mr. Azad said that people have already rejected violence mongers and are playing an active role in construction and developmental programmes. He said that he is happy that at present relations between army, Air Force and people are very cordial and people have full faith in these establishments who have also started playing a great role in rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir state and have a bright record in protecting the precious lives of people.
Felicitating the Air Force being in its platinum jubilee year, Chief Minister said that the force has been acclaimed all over the world for its integrity, bravery and professionalism. “The nation is indebted to you for your services given in odd moments of our history, especially of the state during the war of 1965 and your dare devil flights and professional maneuvering during war in the high mountains of Kargil in 1999”, he said. “ I know, you are not only making crucial contribution in war but your courage and valour are praise worthy in peace time as well”, he maintained. He said that during natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and cyclones, the humanitarian services rendered by the Air Force save precious lives and property of citizens for which the nation always remains beholden to the force.
Mr. Azad expressed his gratitude to the Air Force for launching relief operations in the state during unprecedented snowfall in February last year and thereby helping in saving nearly 1200 civilians and dropped food packets and transported medicines, vegetables and other essentials for the people by pressing into service its fleet.
Chief Minister said that the help rendered by the Air Force during the earthquake of October last in the state has been appreciated all over. He said the Air Force was on spot within hours of the calamity to evacuate casualties and provide relief to the affected people by operating hundreds of sorties evacuating nearly 500 casualties and air-lifting 2500 tonnes of relief material from different parts of the country for Kashmir. He also paid tributes to the Air Force martyrs who have made supreme sacrifice in the service of nation both in war and peace times.
Earlier, Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi welcomed Chief Minister to the annual meet of Air Force Sector Commanders. |
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