STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Plain speak by the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat to tackle the stone pelting mob with iron fist if they continue to create hurdles for the security forces during anti-terror operations has nullified all efforts made by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to extend an olive branch to the misguided youth ahead of beginning of new season.
After video footage of stone pelters went viral on social networking sites, pressure was mounted on the top brass of the army in Kashmir valley to respond to the challenge thrown by the handlers of stone pelters. Instead of intervening at the local level which could have created confusion between the local commanders and other agencies a stern message was sent out by the Chief that army can no longer tolerate such anti-national behaviour by local Kashmiris where they are seen hurling stones at army personnel going in for the operation to flush out militants.
After losing precious lives of four soldiers including one Major, the army Chief on Wednesday took charge of the situation to boost the morale of the foot soldiers facing hostile crowd.
Army had dealt with the similar situation in March 2016 when a similar warning was issued by the army to the stone pelters asking them not to create road blocks during anti-terror operations.
As head of the Unified Command Mehbooba Mufti had earlier directed the security forces to exercise restraint on using force against the stone pelters to prevent situation from completely going out of hands.
Since November 2016 as situation was gradually showing signs of normalcy two back to back anti terror operations in Kulgam and Bandipore area of Kashmir valley have once again brought the army personnel face to face with the stone pelting mobs.
Strong words by the Army Chief has also created a piquant situation for the state government agencies as their role is vital in facilitating anti terror operations and controlling the law and order situation to allow army personnel easy access to the encounter site. Army Chief’s reaction came after his discussion with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed at Palam technical area to pay homage to three of the four soldiers including a Major killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir valley on Tuesday.
