K.D. Maini
Indian Army is a well behaved organization and has a history of bravery, courage and sacrifices. During the turmoil of 1947 in J&K, Indo-Pak conflict of 1965 and 1971, the defense forces not only protected the territory but also created a new nation Bangladesh. After 1989, during militancy in the State, the Army was deployed in J&K state to combat terrorism and protect the life and property of the people. The role of Army was quite different from the conventional assignments. In the low intensity war, the opponent was not visible, even it was also not known whether the opponent was an enemy from across the border or an annoyed or misguided person of the state. Therefore this war was not simply a battle of bullets but a battle of tactics and attitude towards the opponent. To fight such type of war, the Indian Army took the challenge with new approach and sympathetic behavior. The defense forces created cordial and friendly relations with the habitants in the hostile area to segregate the militants from the local population. It is fact a that in the initial stages the security forces faced lot of problems but with the passage of time the Army acted with the active involvement and participation of the people living in that zone. Simultaneously, a new section of Army with proper orientation that is Rashtriya Riffle was deployed after 1997 to face the challenge. This force was properly trained to deal with the situation within the populated area, villages and cities
In Pir Panchal region this force is known as Romeo force. During last 20 years this force has done a commendable role in combating terrorism and eradicating militancy from this area. Therefore at present there is no visible threat of militancy in Rajouri Poonch region. This success has been achieved by the force with the help of peace living people. The Army and Awam are one page due to soft and human approach of the security forces. There is an environment of trust and confidence between the public of this area and defense forces which has resulted peaceful, friendly and militancy free atmosphere.
In remote and border areas of Poonch Rajouri districts, the officers and Jawans of Rashtriya Rifles mix with the people, respecting their faiths and believe, participating in social function like Urs, Melas, marriages, Eid and other festivals. They also share the joy, sorrow and sufferings of the people due to which the natives are considering them the saviors of the area.
Apart from security matter, the Romeo force has introduced a number of schemes and programmes for the betterment of people under Sadbhawana mission. Opening of medical camps, vocational training centers and Bharat Darshan tours have now became routine activities. This force has also created infrastructure facilities and sustainable assets for the overall development of the people of the Rajouri -Poonch districts. Apart from tangible schemes a numbers of intangible schemes are also in progress with the help of Romeo force in remote and border villages.
Mohommad Aslam, the Sarpanch of Marha told that about 21000 tribal and Pharies families migrate to 127 Dohks and Mergs of Hill Kaka Bowl during summer season. On their request Romeo force had constructed 11 km road from Bufliaz to Kalali which is now proving a life line for the public of this area and migrant tribal families because their journey towards Hill Kaka has became easy. 39 RR Lower KG had recently sent a group of ten youths of border villages on a motorcycle tour to Kashmir valley under Sher-e-Milap Programme. This organization has also organized a seven day summer camp of sixty students of border area like Jhullas, Salotri, Dara Dullian, Mangnar and so on. This group includes thirty five students of the families living below the poverty line while 25 students belong to tribal families. During camp period these students were exposed to orientation courses regarding first aid training, mess attitudes, self defense training and Yoga. Bagh Hussain, Sarpanch Dara Dullain while appreciating the efforts of 39 RR in building the personality and creating leadership qualities among these students, told that for the first time such facilities have been availed by the students of remote and border areas. He further said that this organization has organized medical camp at Gani top, Dara Dullian, Khaneter and Jhulass and Provided free medicines to patients of these villages where 329 patients were treated.
The warden Gujjar Bakerwal hostel for girls student Mangnar disclosed that a month back 39 RR equipped the hostel with proper computer facilities for the convenience of girl students. By this way the female inmates of the hostel are now engaged in learning computer.
In January 2016, an Urdu Mushaira was organized by six sector of Romeo force at Surankote in which sixty poets of Poonch, Mendhar, Mandi and Surankote had participated and recited their poems on nationalism and patriotic themes. Later on these poems were got published in the shape of book. The renowned and aged Urdu poet Hsamu Din Betab while welcoming the efforts of Army officers of six sector of Romeo force told that for the first time such types of literary relations between the people of this region with the Army have been established.
To create the sense of pride among the people of the border area of Poonch, six sectors under the command of Brigadier Parshant Halgari organized a seminar on history, heritage and contribution of Army in the field of development on 9th March 2016 in the meeting hall of Degree college Poonch which was attended by more than five hundreds intellectuals, prominent citizens, college students, Phari people and others apart from Major General Yougendra Dimri VSM to create a harmonious relationship with the public. Four prominent speakers who shared their views were Rekha Chowdhary a retired professor of Jammu university, Zaffar Iqbal News reporter of NDTV and a journalist Colonel V.K. Sahi presented their papers which were appreciated by the audience. This was the first attempt of the Army of its nature in this region. These efforts of the Romeo force indicate that this force is not only providing security to the people but working for the overall development of the natives. These relations of Army and Awam shall lead the state of J&K towards peaceful, prosperous and progressive future.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel