Avtar Bhat
SAMBA, Oct 29: Asserting that accession of Jammu and Kashmir with Union of India is a settled issue, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today took a dig at those disgruntled politicians who are unnecessarily raising it for their vested political interests.
Addressing a function organized by Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti at Rajpura near International Border in Hiranagar sector today, Dr Singh said the only issue which is unsettled is the portion of J&K that is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan and which was part of the undivided J&K during the Maharaja’s rule.
Lambasting those forces who rake up Kashmir issue and call for discussions and debate on it, Dr Singh said there should be no doubt in it that J&K is a settled issue as per Indian Independence Act.
Without naming former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, he said some tweet, some give bites to electronic media and other write articles in a news paper that J&K is not a settled issue to hoodwink the public.
He also lashed out at those intellectuals who toe the line of these politicians and organize debates and discussions on the same. Terming it as the “intellectual terrorism,” he said this is more dangerous than real terrorism.
The Union Minister while turning tables on opposition parties in the State said they have no guts to call the terrorist a terrorist. “If a media person asks a question to them whether Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was a terrorist or not they will try to avoid its reply or divert it,” he added.
He regretted that no political party in the State condemned the mutation of a soldier’s body by militants in Macchil Sector in Kashmir valley yesterday. “By condemning the incident they feel somebody will be annoyed by it and this seems that they are not clear hearted about the same”, he added.
“This is not the issue of party politics but we are Indians first and we should take pride in saying that’’, he said, adding that a message should go from here loud and clear that 125 crore Indians are with armed forces and they will not allow any body to infringe upon their human rights. “The armed forces are supreme and their human rights have top priority’’, he added.
He said the mutation of the body of a soldier by militants is worst kind of human rights violation and against the Geneva Agreement and international war conventions.
Dr Singh while pooh- poohing terrorists actions said the human rights of Indian soldiers should take precedence over them as terrorists forfeit entitlement to human rights the day they resort to terrorism which is biggest violation of human rights.
He said it is pity that some politicians in J&K who raise questions over accession term J&K as an integral part of India when they are in power and one former Chief Minister is on record to say in Geneva that Kashmir is an integral part of India but after he was out of power he started questioning it.
“It is not this former CM alone but four former CMs have made such type of statements after being out of power, he said. Even the separatists who were legislators and took oath on the name of Indian Constitution, take pension and other facilities from Government of India challenge accession and the day they will be given the seat of Chief Minister they will forget every thing, he added.
This type of freedom is not even allowed in developed democracies of the world like Britain and US, he said.
Condemning the role of separatists, he said their own children are seeking education in prestigious institutions in or outside the State while they are misleading the children of common people in Kashmir. One separatists leader’s kin appeared in an examination through a prestigious institute recently in Valley while the children of common Kashmiris are debarred to go to schools, he regretted.
Dr Singh made it clear that India is committed to make no compromise on terrorism, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and on the dignity of its Army and security forces.
Reiterating that Deepawali of 2016 is dedicated totally to Army and para-military forces, Dr Jitendra Singh said, if, at all, there is a semblance of Deepawali in the country today, it is because of the fact that our young soldiers are guarding the borders day and night and spending sleepless nights on hungry stomachs. It is a sin to say or do anything that would directly or indirectly compromise the morale of Indian Armed Forces, he added.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh hit out at the critics who say nothing has been done on the International Border. He said, for the first time in the history of 70 years of independence, a project has been undertaken to build 1140 most updated Sulabh toilets in the border villages, out of which over 150 are already complete. Those who say nothing has been done are welcome to come and have a look for themselves, he said.
Similarly, Dr Singh said, the construction of bunkers along the border areas as promised has already started from LoC and those who are not aware should go and visit some of these bunkers which are already constructed.
About the allotment of 5 marlas of land to each family along the border, Dr Jitendra said, it was because of his efforts that 80 kanals of land for the purpose was earmarked two years back in Tehsil Hiranagar, but when the process of making allotments was about to start, a query was raised as to how to prevent permanent shifting of the border area people to these plots after allotment, and therefore, an alternative was suggested to construct shelters where the border area people could shift in the event of firing. This issue is, therefore, still under consideration for a final consensus, he added.
Addressing the function Murli Dhar, Seh Sanjojak Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti threw light on its working in border area of the country. He said a country will only become prosperous and strong when its borders are safe and secure. To ensure the same Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti was established, he added.
He said the people living along the borders also play a great role in making the borders secure and safe. He said though the nation is facing a disturbing situation at borders today with enemy country resorting to shelling in border belt but the morale of people living along IB and LoC is so high that they don’t want to leave.
He, however demanded that the border fencing be shifted to Zero Line and people be given compensation of the land and crop under fencing. He also stressed a liaison between security forces and border people.
RSS leader Brig (retd) Suchet Singh took a dig at those who question the surgical strikes. He urged people to rise above caste and regional politics and show entire world that all Indians are one. He demanded that terrorists be shot on a thoroughfare and also recalled the sacrifices of martyrs.
Brig Singh demanded erection of border pillars, recruitment of border youth in security forces and on Army, opening of CBSE schools in border areas, creation of Border Defence Committees (BDCs), giving licensed guns to border people for self defence and withdrawal of security to separatists.
The Seema Jankalyan office bearer from Punjab Manoj Kumar also spoke on the occasion while vote of thanks was proposed by its State president Hardev Singh (Musafir).
Later, Dr Jitendra Singh visited the BSF 173, 97 and Combined Officers Institute at Samba and interacted with the BSF jawans and officers there to boost their morale. He greeted them on the eve of Diwali and said that inspired by PM Modi’s message that this year’s Diwali be dedicated to armed and security forces he choose to start the celebrations from border belt.
Dr Singh also offered sweets to the soldiers.
The DIG BSF and other officers were also present on the occasion. They assured the Union Minister that are on high alert on borders and committed to frustrate the designs of enemy.
On the occasion the jubilant soldiers also sang the patriotic songs like Mera Mulk, Mera Desh- Mera Yeh Wattan etc.
Dr Singh also inspected a Guard of Honour there.
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