M A I N   N E W S

Mumbai blasts not linked to terrorism: George
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Beas, September 17
Defence Minister George Fernandes today said recent bomb blasts in Mumbai were not linked with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to reporters at Army Public School here, he said that the blasts in Mumbai should be treated as isolated incidents like those which occur in other parts of the country and not as interlinked with each other.

He was here to attend a function organised at Army Public School to mark the admission of 101 students from J&K, who had lost their parents to militancy. This project has opened doors to a new world for children who, otherwise may have been relegated to the remote confines of the strife-torn state. The education of these students till they get admitted to some professional or vocational course, is being sponsored by the Army. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had specially flown from Srinagar to attend the function.

Mr Fernandes said even incidents of terrorism in J&K should be treated likewise. He claimed that peace was returning to Jammu and Kashmir, incidents of violence notwithstanding. “Terrorism has its ups and downs. Presently terrorism in J&K is reducing and the state was peaceful compared to earlier days,” he said. He also lauded the Army for fighting the proxy war in J&K, adding the Army was also playing a pivotal role in that state’s development.

On the issue of talks with Pakistan, he said that while the Prime Minister was of the view that bilateral talks was the only way of resolving problems, Pakistan should understand that talks could take place only if it stopped cross-border terrorism.

The Defence Minister also evaded a query on the Defence Ministry not placing the Central Vigilance Commission report on defence purchases during and after the Kargil conflict before the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, saying that now it was an old issue.

He also said that the National Democratic Alliance would discuss the issue of constructing the Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya as and when it was brought before it. Stating that the BJP had given up the Ram temple issue during the formation of the alliance, Mr Fernandes, however, declined to comment on the reaction of alliance partners to the recent resolve of the VHP to construct the temple.

Mr George Fernandes said that he had decided to come here to see for himself the work being done by the Army in promoting the cause of youngsters from J&K. He said that this concept introduced by the Army should be extended to cover the entire country.

Felicitating the J&K children on their admission to the school, he urged them to avail of the facilities being provided to them and work diligently to ensure a bright future for themselves. He also interacted with the students.

Chief of the Army Staff, General N.C. Vij said that this was the beginning of a new life for these students. He said that their education and overall development up to their entry into a professional institute is the Army’s responsibility. He said that if the project was successful, the Army would take it to other parts of the country. The concept involves providing coaching to the students before admitting them to class V, VI or VIII and groom them like regular schoolchildren in a tension-free environment. They would be provided education, uniforms, boarding and lodging free of cost. The annual expenditure per child is about Rs 50,000.

A colourful cultural programme including songs and folk dances was also presented by the school students on the occasion. The fact that the new entrants too took part in the programme indicates how well they had mixed up with the school students. A host of top army officers, including the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern and Western Commands, Lt-Gen Hari Prashad and Lt-Gen S.S. Mehta, respectively, the Adjutant-General and Quarter Master General from Army Headquarters were also present on the occasion.

UNI adds: Talking to reporters on the occasion, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Ms Mehbooba Sayeed, daughter of the Chief Minister, said Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar had been given a clean chit by the party but whether his resignation as Minister would be accepted or not this decision is to be taken by the government.