Scene in J&K not as bad as projected: army chief

The situation in Jammu & Kashmir is not as bad as has been projected and it could be brought under control, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said.

“The security forces are doing a great job in bringing the situation under control. Some parts of south Kashmir are indeed troublesome, but necessary actions are taken to ensure peace in the Valley,” the General told a press conference at the Air Force Academy here on the sidelines of the combined graduation parade. However, he did not see any harm in posting army in close proximity with people so far, since the aim is to bring peace.

He said the Indian Army has been called to do a duty in J&K by the government because there is a requirement for the army. “Therefore, in the present juncture, we have to continue with the task in the manner in which we were carrying on,” Gen Rawat said.

Insisting that the army is not violating human rights in the Valley, the General said spreading of misinformation among people of J&K is causing trouble.

“Possibly (the misinformation) is compelling younger people to pick up arms,” he said. “But I am confident that they would understand violence is not good for the state and its people. All that armed forces want is peace and tranquility in the valley.”

He assured that the armed forces are trained to handle precarious situations such as the stone-pelting by schoolchildren in Kashmir. “We are an army that strongly believes in human rights, we have an impeccable record. We know how to deal with children and women,” he said.

Gen Rawat also refused to comment on the political blame game for the situation in Kashmir, saying the armed forces do not care about statements by politicians. “We have a job at hand and we work round the clock for that,” he added.