Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 23: General Officer Commanding in chief (GOC-in-C) of Northern Army Command Yogesh Kumar Joshi today said that newly recruited militants who are ready to accept mistakes are welcomed to mainstream with open arms.
Addressing a function at Manasbal Lake Park in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, the (GOC-in-C) said that today, the Army is observing the 23rd anniversary of the homecoming of 23 boys who were forced to pick up arms but were rescued by the Army in Gurez sector and handed over to their families later.
“Today, I am glad that these 23 men are living a happy life back home with their families,” the Army Commander said.
He said that if the newly recruited militants are ready to accept their mistake and join mainstream, they will be welcomed with open arms. “We will facilitate their surrender even in the midst of intense counter militancy operations,” he added.
“We are here to save lives and not to take lives. Administration along with the Army will not only facilitate the surrender but also ensure the boys who lay their weapons are well integrated within the society”, Lt Gen Kumar said.
The Army Commander said that over the last few months, they are seeing families of young and newly recruited militants making fervent appeals to their loved ones pleading them to leave “gun culture and cycle of violence.”
“This is really heartbreaking. We make all efforts to ensure and seek surrenders. We want youth to live a peaceful life by returning to the mainstream,” he added.
He said that parents have an important role to play in ensuring that their children do not follow the path of violence, which only brings pain and misery, not only for the ones who join militancy, but also their immediate and extended families. He said the Army is steadfast in its resolve of ethical conduct and ensuring full support to those who want to leave the path of violence.
The Army Commander said that the Army gives a lot of importance to protect human rights while conducting anti-militancy operations besides ensuring minimum collateral damage.
Army had apprehended 23 boys mostly teenagers on 23rd Aug 1998, from Gurez sector in Bandipora district while attempting to cross the Line of Control.
“These young boys on seeing the Indian Army soldiers, shouted for help and immediately surrendered. The troops quickly took control of the situation and helped them to cross the river, which was in spate and escorted them to Gurez, where they were medically examined and were given food, water and warm beds to sleep. Thereafter they were brought to HQ 15 Corps in BB Cantt and were reunited with their parents”, the Army said.
“The rescued boys are now leading normal, happy lives, are married and have families of their own, with children, who themselves nurture dreams of having successful careers, and being responsible citizens of the country”, the army said in a statement.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
