Lt General Subrata Saha, GOC of the Srinagar-based Army’s 15 Corps Saturday remarked that the Army would play an important role in building Naya Kashmir after the catastrophic floods.Talking to the KNS correspondent, Subrata Saha said that the LoC tensions would not affect army’s relief and rehabilitation measures and that it has prioritized its efforts since day one in providing all possible respite to the flood hit people of the Kashmir valley. He maintained that the role the army is goi9ng to play in putting the affected lives back on gear would be vital and the institution in itself would in no way be reluctant in ‘soothing the blighted hearts’.
Saha also hailed the efforts played by the local youth during the rescue operations- saying that army salutes the courage of the locals who guided the army rescue teams besides rescuing thousands themselves. “They guided the army boats and the role played by the youth is truly laudable,” The GOC said.Nullifying the reports of a major number of educated youth joining the militant ranks, the General Officer Commanding said the reports have no veracity that educated youth are joining militancy in Kashmir “We have seen how youth have endangered their lives and carried out the rescue works in the midst of worst ever floods. They didn’t care for their lives but saved thousands and their efforts will be remembered for long,” Saha told newsmen on the sidelines of the function organized by 22RR in North Kashmir’s Sopore area wherein a blood donation camp by the forces was set up.
GOC also stressed for the need of efforts taken up for the proper sanitization of the flood torn areas of Kashmir valley so that the serious epidemic threats- looming large could be avoided.He maintained further that the army is fully equipped and prepared to face any challenge and that the militant activities didn’t hamper its rescue mission. “18 militants during the recent past were eliminated when flood had hit the Kashmir valley. We are vigorously carrying out our operations of relief and rehabilitation.” While commenting over the conduction of polls in JK slated for the end of this year, the GOC said that the decision is the domain of the government and that participating in the democratic process if among the basic rights of every inpidual.Meanwhile, a function was organized by 22RR in North Kashmir’s Sopore area wherein a blood donation camp by the forces was set up. Reports informed that around 20 army personnel donated blood for the flood victims. The function witnessed the participation of civil and police administration. (KNS)