The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Troop pullout not at cost of security: Vij

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Troop pullout not at cost of security: Vij

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, NOV. 23. The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. N. C. Vij, today made it clear that de-induction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir was being done without compromising on national security.

Talking to reporters after presenting colours to 1 EME centre here, he asserted that the troop reduction was not a "cosmetic effort" and that the Government took the decision after consulting the Army. The de-induction was not at the cost of the country's counter-insurgency posture and security requirements were taken into consideration.

Describing the de-induction as a "very good gesture" of friendship, the Army Chief said that it should be "well received by everyone." Asked whether the decision was taken due to onset of winter, he said that winter and summer were "inconsequential." It was a gesture of friendship and taken to restore confidence on all sides. The troop pullout began eight days ago and would continue for another month. "Don't worry about numbers," he quipped, when asked about the extent of withdrawal. Replying to a question, he said efforts to infiltrate from across the border had not reduced and eight such attempts were foiled this month. "But we have the capability to eliminate and our capacities have gone up exponentially." Infiltration was being controlled without any problem and it was for that reason that there was enough confidence to carry out reduction of troops without compromising on security.

Gen. Vij said the Government was "seized of the matter" and was moving to set up an appellate tribunal for armed forces to solve problems in-house. There was a long-standing demand for having such a tribunal, like all armed forces in the world. For the last 10 years, a complaints and advisory board had been functioning outside the organisation directly under the chief.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh