Jammu, May 11
The Army functionaries may not accept the demand for ceasefire suggested by the All Party meeting in Srinagar on the plea that stone pelters and militants may become quite active. And during the ceasefire militants may be able to carry out fresh recruitment.
The Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat, has expressed concern over Kashmiri youth “picking up the gun” and “those who tell them (that) this path will bring Azadi…misleading them,” “I want to tell Kashmiri
youth that Azadi isn't possible. It won't happen. Don't get carried away unnecessarily.
Why are you picking up weapons? We will always fight those who seek Azadi, those who want to secede. (Azadi) is not going to happen, never”.
General Rawat said that he doesn't attach much importance to the number of militants who are killed in encounters with the Army. “These numbers don't matter to me because I know this cycle will continue. There are fresh recruitments happening. I only want to stress that all this is futile, nothing is going to be achieved by them. You can't fight the Army”.
General Rawat said he is perturbed by the killings. “We don't enjoy it. But if you want to fight us, then we will fight you with all our force. Kashmiris have to understand that the SFs (security forces) haven't been so brutal – look at Syria and Pakistan. They use tanks and air power in similar situations. Our troops have been trying their level best to avoid any civilian casualty despite huge provocation,' ‘he said. “I know that the youth are angry. But attacking security forces, throwing stones at us isn't the way”
And the Army Chief believes that there is no military solution to the problems and he has suggested to political leaders to talk to people, especially in the south Kashmir, but he knew it these politicians are scared of meeting the people in south Kashmir, which has become a hotbed for militancy related incidents.(KIP)
