Lieutenant General AK Bhatt, who heads the Chinar Corps, in an interview with Firstpost said that the imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir did not mean a change in the method of operations.
The Chinar Corps is known for guarding a massive part of the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. On Wednesday, Gen Bhatt said that the army is currently doing its work according to a set based procedures with coordination with the police moving stably.
He also said that Vohra’s experience as defense secretary and as a governor for 10 years would provide him good footing in his decisions, bringing in good governance, a responsive administration and more space for peace, which was a ultimate aim of the rule.
Gen Bhatt expressed his satisfaction on the three operations that had been conducted after the Ramzan ceasefire agreement had ended, which led to the killing of Dawood Salafi, a leading face of IS and his associates.
He added that the army was trying to ensure that the soldiers ‘were sensitive to the need to guard against alienating youth and provoking more to join the ranks of militants’. According to him, the efforts underway were working.
Earlier, in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, N.N Vohra had said that the Governor’s rule in the conflict-stricken state did not mean a muscular security approach, but rather better governance and more focus on development.
“I am unaware of the genesis of the [talk on the] hard line approach. The entire administrative apparatus, from the very top to the bottom shall function with efficiency, speed and accountability to serve the people and regain the trust of the common man,” he stated.
He said it was important to seek the involvement and support of the civic elements in the society so that a positive environment could be rendered.
Administrative functioning during the period of unitary rule is not anti-people. On the contrary, such spells are utilised to speed up the machinery and render prompt service, particularly to the neglected elements of society and those living in underdeveloped areas,” he replied when inquired about the difficulty of ruling an alienated population.
Addressing the path of violence that the youth have begun to take in the valley, the governor said he planned to work through parents, teachers and civil society. He also added that ‘every possible effort’ would be used to regain their confidence and that support from political organisations were underway.
Talking about the Ramzan ceasefire agreement, Vohra said, “The suspension of anti-terror operations was a gesture harmonising with the traditional spirit of piety and harmony relating to the holy month of Ramzan”.
Governor’s rule in JK was announced after the fall of the PDP-BJP coalition last week, leading to the President granting his immediate approval for N.N Vohra to take office.
