Singh praises armys role in Held Kashmir
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday praised the Indian armed forces for standing by civil authorities in IHK to protect the nations vital interests at the combined commanders conference, adding that the situation in the northeast was better than in the past, but some areas of concern remained.
Singh also used the occasion to send out an offer once again for talks with the IHK people. We are willing to talk to every person or group which abjures violence, within the framework of our constitution, he said.
The youth of Kashmir are our citizens and their grievances have to be addressed. We have to ensure better delivery of services and generate avenues for economic advancement for people of that state, he added.
Description of the IHK youths as our citizens was seen as a subtle hint to top commanders of the Indian Army, navy and air force assembled for the 4-day annual conference to stop misuse of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and not to treat them as enemies to be fired at.
The commanders must have also been anxious to know the Indian PMs stand on the clamour to tone down the AFSPA that gives unbridled powers to armed forces in civilian areas.
However, Singh chose not to say a word on any dilution of the AFSPA. He also expressed concern over Maoist rebels and referred to Naxalism as a serious challenge to our internal security and vowed to deal firmly with those who resort to violence collectively with the states. At the same time we have to accelerate our development efforts in the naxal affected areas and make our administrative machinery more sensitive and responsive to local concerns, he added.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday praised the Indian armed forces for standing by civil authorities in IHK to protect the nations vital interests at the combined commanders conference, adding that the situation in the northeast was better than in the past, but some areas of concern remained.
Singh also used the occasion to send out an offer once again for talks with the IHK people. We are willing to talk to every person or group which abjures violence, within the framework of our constitution, he said.
The youth of Kashmir are our citizens and their grievances have to be addressed. We have to ensure better delivery of services and generate avenues for economic advancement for people of that state, he added.
Description of the IHK youths as our citizens was seen as a subtle hint to top commanders of the Indian Army, navy and air force assembled for the 4-day annual conference to stop misuse of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and not to treat them as enemies to be fired at.
The commanders must have also been anxious to know the Indian PMs stand on the clamour to tone down the AFSPA that gives unbridled powers to armed forces in civilian areas.
However, Singh chose not to say a word on any dilution of the AFSPA. He also expressed concern over Maoist rebels and referred to Naxalism as a serious challenge to our internal security and vowed to deal firmly with those who resort to violence collectively with the states. At the same time we have to accelerate our development efforts in the naxal affected areas and make our administrative machinery more sensitive and responsive to local concerns, he added.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
