‘Will continue to work for peace in the region’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 28: General Officer Commanding White Knight Corps Lt Gen Manjinder Singh today cautioned the youth against the drug abuse and said “after pushing militants and weapons into Jammu and Kashmir, the enemy nation is using narcotics as a weapon to destroy our coming generations.”
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He was addressing a mega cultural function, organized by Bhimber Gali Brigade under the aegis of ‘Ace of Spades Division’ in Mendhar town of Poonch district.
He also announced the Jammu Premier League from this year on the pattern of Kashmir Premier League, a twenty20 cricket league started by the Army in the valley in 2011 to engage youth in positive activity. The Army sponsors the teams, and provides cricket kits and refreshments during the tournament.
Without naming Pakistan, Lt Gen Singh “the enemy nation used to send militants and weapons but now they are also using narcotics as a weapon to destroy our coming generations.”
He motivated the youth to work hard for securing their future and also cautioned them to be wary of pitfalls of drug abuse and propaganda spread by the “anti-national” elements.
“We all are committed and will continue to work together for maintaining a conductive environment of peace and prosperity in the region,” Lt Gen Singh said.
The 16 Corps Commander said a person once entangled in the drug menace finds it very hard to come out of it.
”All organs of the society need to come together to meet the challenge. Army and paramilitary forces on the borders are alert to foil the smuggling of drugs, the youth also need to take a pledge to stay away from drugs and safeguard their future,” he added.
Expressing happiness over the restart of the mega cultural function in the border town after a gap of couple of years due to COVID-19 outbreak, Lt Gen Singh said it is a good beginning and it shows the progress the nation is making on the path of development.
”The youth of the border village are today enjoying the peace dividends and are moving forward with the people of the rest of the country,” he said.
He said the Army is starting the Jammu Premier League from this year and one team from each of the 10 districts of Jammu region are going to participate in the tournament to provide an opportunity to the youth to display their talent.
Lt Gen Singh appreciated the youth and local populace for such a scintillating display of talent in the border area of Poonch.
He assured the gathering that the Indian Army is always standing strongly behind the aspirations of ‘Awaam’ (people) for peace and prosperity in the region.
The Army Commander complimented the civil administration and local populace for ensuring remarkable development made in the last few years.
The two-day cultural festival started on Sunday to encourage youth and facilitate the local populace to celebrate the cultural vibrancy in the region, a defence spokesman said.
He said the Ace of Spades division came out with a unique initiative to provide a platform for the energetic youth from schools and colleges to display their talent, promote the avenues of entrepreneurship and spread awareness about various employment opportunities.
The Corps Commander was accompanied by GOC, Ace of Spades division, Maj Gen Rajeev Puri, dignitaries from civil administration, SSP Poonch Rohit Baskotra, and Principals of all three degree colleges in the region, the spokesman said.
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