Strategic, security concerns addressed: Dr Jitendra
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH/NEW DELHI, June 28: The Union Government’s “historic” decision to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as two separate Union Territories have bolstered national security and led to a major reduction in terrorist activities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said today.
Speaking at an event in Ladakh, Singh also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent outreach to political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir, and said that the Government does not want the “same situation” to continue in the region for long.
“The Union Government’s decision to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as two separate UTs has bolstered national security and led to major reduction in terrorist activities and also opened new avenues for socio-economic development of the people in both the regions,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister, on a three-day visit to Ladakh from Sunday, made these remarks after dedicating to the nation 63 bridges built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in six states and two UTs.
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Singh also criticised those who earlier questioned Modi’s intent for Jammu and Kasmir and Ladakh, saying they had vested interests.
The Government’s “historic decision” around two years ago has brought socio-economic development to the region as well as helped in containing terrorist activities, the Defence Minister said.
“He wants that political process to start in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Ladakh. And he is going to speak (to people from) here. He has spoken to people of J and K. We do not want the same situation to prevail for a long time,” Singh said.
Singh also said that significant success has been achieved in containing terrorism and boosting socio-economic development. “Two years is not a long period of time…Our government has initiated several steps for infrastructure development and to promote investment,” he added.
The Defence Minister also lauded the armed forces for their contribution to the overall improvement of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Singh said the Government has been significantly focusing on enhancing connectivity which is paying rich dividends.
The Defence Minister also visited the Thiksay Monastery in Ladakh. He inaugurated Shesrab Skyad Tsal Ling library during the visit.
Meanwhile, in a clear message to China from Eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said India is a peace-loving nation that never resorts to any kind of aggression but is always prepared to give a befitting reply if provoked or threatened.
Addressing soldiers in a forward location on the second day of his visit to the region, Singh said India wants to resolve disputes with the neighbouring countries through dialogue but asserted that the nation’s safety and security will not be compromised at any cost.
The Defence Minister also paid glowing tributes to the 20 soldiers martyred in the Galwan Valley clashes in June last year and said the country will never forget their sacrifices.
Rajnath Singh said India is a peace-loving country and does not threaten anyone but the country will not tolerate if anyone threatens it, seen as a direct message to China.
“We had to face a big challenge along the Northern border last year. But our armed forces displayed their courage and dedication to deal with it…Our Army has the capability to give a befitting reply to every challenge,” he said.
The Defence Minister said disputes can be resolved through dialogue if there is a clear intent for it.
“We have always worked for world peace. We never attack anyone. Our objective has never been to achieve victory against anyone. India has neither attacked any country nor occupied an inch. Our intention is very clear,” he said.
“Our neighbours should think that we have been neighbours for ages, we will remain neighbours for ages. Can we not find permanent solutions to the disputed issues through talks. We were neighbours, we are neighbours and we will remain neighbours. I am talking about all the neighbours. We can find solutions provided we have clear intent,” he said.
He said India never resorts to any kind of aggression, but at the same time, it is always prepared to give a befitting reply if provoked.
The Defence Minister also assured all possible support to the armed forces, reaffirming the vision of the Government of having a strong military that is capable of dealing with every eventuality.
Lauding the exemplary courage displayed by the Indian Army during the incident, Singh said the nation is proud of its armed forces and “will never forget the sacrifice of soldiers who laid down their lives in Galwan Valley for the country.”
Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh today dedicated to the nation 63 bridges built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in six states and two union territories in sync with the Government’s focus on enhancing border infrastructure.
Singh, on a three-day visit to Ladakh, inaugurated the bridges at an event held at Kyungam, 88 km from Leh.
The event was attended by Lt Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur, General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command Lt Gen YK Joshi, Director General of Border Roads Organisation Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry and other senior civil and military officials.
Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim were among those who attended the event virtually.
Officials said the inauguration of a 50-metre-long bridge constructed on the Leh-Loma road in Ladakh was significant as it will help in the movement of troops and other military hardware.
“This single span steel superstructure bridge, which replaces an existing bailey bridge, will ensure unhindered movement of heavy weapon systems, including guns, tanks and other specialised equipment,” the defence ministry said.
The Leh-Loma Road that connects with places such as Chumathang, Hanley and Tso Morori Lake is vital for access to forward areas in eastern Ladakh.
In addition, Singh virtually inaugurated 62 more bridges — 11 in Ladakh, four in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Himachal Pradesh, six in Uttarakhand, eight in Sikkim, one each in Nagaland and Manipur and 29 in Arunachal Pradesh.
The combined cost of the projects is Rs 240 crore and they will provide a tremendous boost to connectivity in the border areas, the ministry said
Speaking on the occasion, the defence minister lauded the BRO’s commitment towards improving connectivity to far-flung areas, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that some of these bridges will become a lifeline for many villages located in remote areas.
Underlining the importance of connectivity, especially in border areas for the development of a nation, he reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure infrastructure development in far-flung border areas.
Singh said the inauguration of 63 bridges is an important step in that direction and expressed confidence that the new infrastructure will play a crucial role in strengthening security.
On the development of Ladakh, Singh said a number of welfare schemes are being implemented, including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, showing the government’s resolve towards the welfare of the region.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to start the democratic process in the region.
“With the inauguration of 63 bridges in one go, BRO has surpassed its own record of 44 bridges launched in 2020. These 63 bridges, combined with 12 roads dedicated to the nation by Rajnath Singh on June 17, 2021, form a bouquet of 75 infrastructure projects,” the defence ministry said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also attended the ceremony of inauguration of 63 BRO roads described these newly constructed bridges and roads as being of critical importance and said that all these projects inaugurated today addressed vital strategic and security concerns of the nation.
Dr Jitendra Singh later told the media that 63 roads and bridges inaugurated in the border States of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is not only strategically important, but it will go a long way in strengthening border infrastructure in remote and inhospitable areas.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that connectivity plays an important role in any country’s progress and development as it not only boosts trade and tourism, but also creates new employment opportunities through overall socio-economic development. Referring to Reasi-Arnas-Mahore (RAM) road, initially built as a Cl-V road in the year 1965 is upgraded by BRO to provide all weather connectivity on the road. He said, the Mari Nallah generates huge catchment area during monsoon and becomes an obstacle during peak monsoon season and lauded the BRO for completing Mari bridge work before onset of monsoons in one-year duration only, despite constraints of COVID pandemic.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the construction of road Reasi-Arnas-Mahore will provide the much needed all weather connectivity to the Armed forces and will enhance their operational preparedness. He said, the numerous villages within the surroundings will be socially and economically connected to the main towns, leading to positive changes in social fabric of the area as a whole.
Dwelling on the strategic importance of the Reasi-Arnas-Mahore (RAM) road, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the link provides a major axis for Northern Command for switching over of its forces and the road is also the life line for the counter insurgent forces deployed South west of Pir Panjal Ranges.
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