DEHRADUN, June 28: Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh today sought to lay to rest speculations about alleged slackness on the part of Uttarakhand government in requisitioning the Army to save the disaster victims and thus delaying the operations.
In a brief media interaction here, Gen Singh, in response to a question, said the Army never waits for requisitioning in such cases. He said his orders were clear to his commanders soon after getting the information of the calamity. The Army always plays a proactive role under such situations, Gen Singh asserted.
“Get in there and save civilian lives, was my order,” said Gen Singh. He stoutly denied any gap among various agencies and stressed there was great synergy and all performed their roles well.
Gen Singh, who laid a wreath on the bodies of martyrs of Tuesday’s chopper crash, during a Guard of Honour ceremony held here, also paid glowing tributes to those who gave their lives in the line of action.
Earlier today, the Army chief had visited Gauchar base camp to boost the morale of the defence personnel.
While addressing the Army personnel, he observed that many people, including locals, were stranded at various places in Uttarakhand. “Till each and every person was not evacuated to safety, the Army would continue its rescue and relief mission,” he said.
“The Army is always ready to serve the nation and its people,” he asserted.
The Army chief was unable to visit Joshimath and returned to Dehradun due to inclement weather.
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna also expressed his deep gratitude to the defence forces for staking their lives to save people in distress. “The entire nation was proud of its indomitable soldiers who did not allow its morale to flag despite the tragic chopper crash. In fact, they have become more determined to finish the mission for which their colleagues laid down their lives,” Mr Bahuguna said. (UNI)
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