M A I N   N E W S

Nothing will be brushed under carpet: Army Chief
Ajay Banerjee/TNS

Key observations Dissociates himself from the controversy-ridden last few months The Army will continue to carry its tasks and fulfil obligations as per norms There will be no problems between the Army and MoD Refuses to comment on his “worthy predecessor” Evades reply on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act

New Delhi, June 1
Sending a strong message, newly appointed Army Chief General Bikram Singh today spoke about serious concerns and the issues rankling the force.

He first dissociated himself from the controversy-ridden last few months of his predecessor saying, “What has happened in the past has to be left behind” while making it clear that the force has to remain “secular and apolitical.” He promised that there will be no problems in the civil-military relations.

Minutes after inspecting a guard of honour at the lawns outside his South Block office, General Bikram Singh observed, “You drive a car looking through the wind-screen and not looking at the rear view mirror”. He indicated that he intended to bridge the existing Army-Ministry divide.

“There is nothing that will be brushed under the carpet”, the Army Chief said in response to a question on allegations of murder faced by the intelligence unit in the North-East. On the specific questions about the recent clash involving soldiers and officers at Nyoma in Ladakh, the events in the North-East and the long-running controversy about troops posted in Congo, the General stated that “all these cases will be dealt with as per the rulebook. That is all I will say”.

The words “secular and apolitical” were probably used as a group that included retired civilian and Army officers had moved the Supreme Court alleging that some Sikh groups had lobbied successfully for the selection of General Bikram Singh. The Supreme Court was furious at the nature of allegations and rejected the petition.

Asked what was his message to the force, the General said, “Let us continue to remain a secular and an apolitical force and continue to do our job as it is supposed to be done”.

“I assure you that the Indian army shall continue to carry its tasks and fulfil its constitutional obligations as per the established norms. It will be the most accountable, responsive, disciplined and worthy element of national power”, he said. On the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), he said “The Army has given its view, it is for the government to decide.”