Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 10: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat today said that the Army was committed to free Kashmir from the cycle of terrorism and bring back peace and normalcy in the Valley. However, for the purpose, he sought help of the local people especially the youth whom he appealed to tread the path of Lt Umer Fayyaz, who was recently martyred by the militants in a marriage function.
In an interview to Doordarshan, Gen Rawat said all security agencies and administration were working hard to finish off militancy in Kashmir and they have achieved many successes in the recent past. Hopefully, he added, the Army will succeed and you will see return of peace and normalcy in Kashmir.
“Army is determined to free Kashmir valley from the cycle of terrorism. A lot of efforts were being made in this regard. We need the support of Kashmir people especially the youth to tackle the miscreants, who are not only misguiding the youth but taking them to path of destruction,’’ the Army chief, who have made several visits to the Kashmir valley during past six months after taking over the reign of affairs, said.
Calling upon the Kashmiri youth to stay away from the “mischievous elements’’, who were exploiting and pushing them to wrong path , Gen Bipin Rawat called upon the Kashmir people including the youth to help Army , other security agencies and administration to overcome the challenges of terrorism.
Asserting that Army was deployed in Kashmir to act against militancy and restore peace, he said: “at the same time, Army has the feeling for Kashmir people especially the youth and want to help them overcome the difficult period of militancy by generating employment opportunities for them’’.
Pointing out that situation was not that bad in the Kashmir valley as was being projected or the way it was being shown, Gen Rawat, however, admitted that parts of South Kashmir including Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama districts were disturbed “to some extent’’. However, he said, at the same time, Army and other security agencies have achieved many successes in these areas of the Valley, which will lead to further improvement in the situation.
“Shortly, you will see change in Kashmir with return of peace and normalcy, which will be good for the people of the Valley especially those, who were linked with the trade of tourism and have suffered badly due to disturbed conditions,’’ he said, describing return of normalcy in the Valley as main challenge for his troops.
Gen Bipin Rawat said a large number of people in Kashmir were linked with tourism including house boat owners, ponneywallahs, hoteliers, small traders etc all of whom will be benefitted to great extent with return of normalcy in the Valley as tourists will start arriving.
“We want tourists to go to Kashmir. For the purpose, we are engaged in restoring normalcy. We have succeeded to quite an extent. When the tourists start visiting Kashmir, there will be more signs of peace as more and more people will be involved in the tourist trade,’’ the Army chief said.
Referring to welfare measures undertaken by the Army for the Kashmir youth, Gen Bipin Rawat said that Army arranged advanced coaching for them. Out of them, 28 students including two girls have cracked IIT exams. In the next round, more youth will be educated.
“We will continue to invest in youth and make them liable for employment,’’ he added.
Gen Rawat hoped that the task left behind martyr Lt Umer Fayyaz, will be completed by the youth of Kashmir by helping in restoration of normalcy in the Kashmir valley.
“Lt Umer Fayyaz had great love for the country and the Kashmir valley. He wanted to help the youth of Kashmir in restoration of normalcy. He had set an example for the youth of Kashmir and we hope the work left by him, will be taken up by the Kashmir youth to free Kashmir from terrorism,’’ Gen Rawat said.
He described Lt Umer Fayyaz as brave youth of Kashmir, who had dreams for his fellow youth and hoped that the youth would follow path of the martyr.
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