Jammu, November 24
For the first time in the past 16 years, a Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir describing Indian Army as “protector and friend” of the common people of the state is music to the ears of the troops fighting terrorism.

Yes, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad is perhaps the only Chief Minister in these years who has lauded the troops, while the separates and leaders of Kashmir-based political parties generally have remained indifferent towards the soldiers.

The People’s Democratic Party, that ruled the state for three years with the support of the Congress, was soft towards militants and did not miss any opportunity to corner the security forces.

Separatists were demanding the withdrawal of the Army from the state and have portrayed troops as enemy of the people of Kashmir.

It was a surprise as Mr Azad said publicly that he was the happiest person when the people in the border areas of the Kashmir valley appreciated relief and rehabilitation of the earthquake victims by Army personnel. He said that he was not annoyed over the criticism of the civil administration by the victims, but was satisfied that the people in the valley had realised that the Army was their protector and friend.

Mr Azad says that the Army has been protecting our dignity and honour, but some vested elements were projecting it as an enemy of Kashmir. He asks whether those demanding de-militarisation of Kashmir were in a position to give an undertaking that no innocent person will be killed by militants once their demand was met.

Such comments of Mr Azad was music to the ears not only of the troops, but also the masses at a time when leaders of the PDP, the National Conference and militants were again talking of autonomy for J&K and joint control of India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

These parties perhaps were adopting such postures for their political survival in the valley without caring for the damage they were causing to the integrity of the country.

It is said of the PDP that while in power there was hardly any occasion when its leaders came out openly against any militant attack on troops or their families, but raised banner of human rights violations when troops took some harsh steps to hunt militants.

Although Dr Farooq Abdullah, when he was heading the National Conference government, never ridiculed the security forces, but the demand for autonomy raised by the party caused much damage to the integration of the state with rest of the country.

There is a feeling here that the Congress after assuming power in the state after 30 years, Mr Azad would take steps to strengthen integration of the state with rest of the country and not succumb to autonomy rhetoric of the valley-based parties. People in the Jammu and Ladakh regions have rejected the autonomy theory and were in favour of integration of J&K with India like other states. The demand for union territory status has been again raised in the Ladakh region.

Jammu, November 24
The Northern Command of the Army has initiated an inquiry into the alleged multi-crore rupee meat scam in the frontier region of Ladakh.

The GOC-in-C of the Northern Command, Lieut-Gen Deepak Kapoor, today told media persons at Udhampur that any one found responsible for the scam would not be spared and strict action would be taken against him by the Army.

It is worth mentioning that the alleged meat scam comes close on the heels of the petroleum, timber and liquor scams in the Army.

The GOC-in-C said that despite the earthquake there were no signs of decrease in infiltration attempts of terrorists from Pakistan.

The Army to check infiltration has adopted a three-pronged strategy. The fence that was damaged at many places due to the earthquake was being repaired on a war footing.

He said that by targeting civilians, the terrorists were trying to show that the earthquake had failed to deter them.

The Army Commander said that yesterday’s surrender by three terrorists on the LoC indicated that they wanted to join the mainstream.

Jammu, November 24
The Governor, Lieut-Gen S.K. Sinha, today set an agenda for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University to create ample avenues for students from various backgrounds for intellectual achievement without compromising academic excellence.

Chairing the eighth meeting of the executive council of the university here, the Governor stressed the need for satiating local aspirations by catching students at young age to prepare them for national level entrance competitions.

He asked the Vice-Chancellor to start preparations for the first convocation of the university next year as the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had agreed to deliver the maiden convocation address. — TNS