New Delhi:
The Army says there are a host of measures, besides deploying the Army, to bring the situation in Kashmir under control. In an exclusive interview to NDTV's Defence Editor Nitin Gokhale, Army Chief General VK Singh said Army gains on the security front have not been capitalised on in Kashmir.
Here's an excerpt from the interview:
NDTV: Let me straight away ask you a question on the current situation in Kashmir.
Gen Singh: The situation in Kashmir has been tense for quite for some time now and the reasons are many. The basic reason has been that we have not been able to build up on the gains that we have made over a period of time. People are passing instructions. The separatists are able to garner support and I think the population is fairly gullible...they take it as they see.
NDTV: What measures would you suggest from the Army's side?
Gen Singh: I think as far as the Army is concerned, a lot of work has been done. Situation has been brought to a particular level when other initiatives should have been taken...first of all there should be concerted efforts to identify those miscreants. There are people who are passing instructions on the phone etc. They have to be identified, there are people who are financing the protest - they should be identified. After that starts how to connect with the common man and build confidence in him so that he can stay away from the miscreants. Then there are administrative measures and measures to be taken by elected leaders at various levels to build confidence. Last but not the least, if you want to impose a curfew for some time for containing the particular area it has to be total. You cannot have a half-hearted measure.
NDTV: Is that the reason why Army was brought in as a deterrent?
Gen Singh: I really won't say as to why there was such a thing. Army was already there, what is there to be requisitioned. It is already carrying out operations with the police in conjunction with the state. We are there for various things. I think there was some sort of a loss of confidence and that is why we said yes. We are as much concerned as anybody else.