Monthly Archives: August 2018

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, August 19

Promises made by political party leaders, successive governments and the administration to provide basic facilities at the Sadiqi joint check post (JCP), 13 km from here, at the end of the National Highway 7 on the Indo-Pakistan border have proved to be an eyewash.Hundreds of residents visit the JCP, Sadiqi, daily to witness the retreat (flag lowering) ceremony held jointly by BSF officials and Pakistan Rangers. As per BSF sources, about 80,000 residents from different parts of the country flocked Sadiqi on Independence Days of Pakistan and India on August 14 and 15 to have a glimpse of their kin who were segregated at the time of Partition.Fazilka Sadiqi JCP is the only spot where cross-border meeting used to be held till a few years ago where the residents of both sides of the Radcliff line used to hug and meet each other but the practice was stopped following security reasons about a decade ago. At present, visitors convey their feelings either through gestures or by shouting from a distance.However, the historical place lacks even basic amenities. “There are no proper seating arrangements to accommodate the visitors. They have to sit in the open, braving odd weather conditions,” said Border Area Vikas Manch president Lila Dhar Sharma.There is no arrangement for drinking water. Former Cabinet Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani, MP Sher Singh Ghubaya and dignitaries who visited from other areas had promised to provide RO-based potable water on various occasions but the project could not see light of the day. No eatable or soft drink is available as there is no canteen.Visitors have to wait in queues in the open during frisking, before the commencement of the ceremony, as no shed has been constructed near the barbed wire fencing gate which facilitates entry to the JCP.Besides, the government has failed to offer any transport to reach Sadiqi after covering a distance of about 13 km from Fazilka. “Repeated demands to provide a Punjab roadways bus to ply on this route have fallen on deaf ears,” alleged historian Lachhman Dost.The district administration, civil society representatives and Punjab Tourism Department officials held a meeting under the chairmanship of the Fazilka DC on May 17 this year to promote border area tourism and to develop the Sadiqi JCP as tourist spot but nothing concrete has come out so far.

‘Lacks proper seating arrangements’ 

• “There are no proper seating arrangements to accommodate visitors. They have to sit in the open, braving odd weather conditions,” said Border Area Vikas Manch president Lila Dhar Sharma
• There is no arrangement for drinking water
• Visitors have to wait in queues in the open during frisking before the commencement of the ceremony as no shed has been constructed near the barbed wire fencing gate which facilitates entry to the JCP

When we talk of Jammu & Kashmir all that comes to our mind is the strife that is going on there, the agitations, stone pelting, terrorists being shot dead, army men losing lives…….. a population that feels disgruntled, and politicians making their career over this turmoil. But every now and then, there comes a story of goodness, struggle and success that emanates from that soil. One such was the story of Sehmat portrayed beautifully in the recent movie Raazi played by Alia Bhatt or the grit showed by Sepoy Aurangzeb before his death in the hands of terrorists.

There is another one that caught my attention recently. It is from the Jammu region of Samba. What was one thing common among seven women – 55 year old Biaso Devi & Chanchalo Kumari, 60 year Prakasho Devi, 56 year Sheeshna Kumari, 58 year Parkasho Devi & Gharo Devi and 26 year old Simmi Devi. They all were widows whose husbands had served in the Indian Army. After the death of their husbands, each one of them had a tale to narrate, one of suffering, loneliness and lack of finances. Each one struggled to make ends meet and look after their kids and family.

The Army in the local garrison was already well known for its close interaction with the local population. They had made a mark consistently guided by the Gurj Division and the Mission First Brigade who were well known for their Samba Super 40 academic excellence mission where in the local boys and girls had qualified for central competitive exams. That story is for another day.

The area is well known for walnuts and apples. Who doesn’t relish these goodies. While interacting with the locals one day and after listening to the sad stories of the widows, Brigadier Anil Raman hit upon the idea. Why not do something with the local resources and ensure the produce be marketed well so that there is an employment generation opportunity.

Aseem foundation, an NGO from Pune, have great experience of more than 15 years. They know and understand local problems in states like Jammu and Kashmir and the North-Eastern states. Aseem Foundation worked with the Army to establish the Olive Green Bakery at Samba under the aegis of Army Wives Welfare Organisation. The initiative involved a manufacturing point at Samba Military Station for special Apple Walnut Chocolates, Caramel Walnut Chocolates and Walnut Biscuits. All help was provided by the Army under Operation Sadbhavana. With the knowledge imparted by the Aseem Foundation members, the local produce of Apples and Walnuts were made into Apple Walnut Cookies under the brand name Olive Green Cookies.

These were then marketed all over India. You too can order your cookies. From today, let these cookies give you company along with your cuppa tea. It just costs you Rs 55/- for a box of tasty fresh 10 cookies. And it is delivered to your house through courier.

Four widowed women who were taken in this project work at the Olive Green Bakery. Today Simmi Devi proudly pays school fees of her daughter and takes care of her needs. Prakasho Devi is able to pay school fees of her two grand-children and also cater to their daily requirements. Chanchalo Kumari is able to help her son in day to day running of the house.   A week back Biaso Devi filled up admission form worth Rs 2000/- for her daughter Arti Devi from her first salary. These women are now beaming at this God sent opportunity and thank the Army for this new lease of life. A life of purpose, dignity and peace. Three more joined in later hearing about the new lease of respectable life this project has given them.

Great Work Aseem Foundation, Gurj Division and Mission First Brigade and Brigadier Anil Raman, the man behind the idea. Kudos!

This Independence Day, You too can do your bit. Buy your cookies from them. Help these brave widows of Samba to sustain their lives with dignity. Get your first order going here  http://www.aseemfoundation.org/olivegreen.html

Every bite you take goes into making a future for these soldier’s widows. Its time for my Cuppa tea with Olive Green Cookies.

Dear Friends,

1.         You are fully aware of the way Military is being downgraded and degraded. Govt continues to remain adamant by not even replying to numerous letters written to PM  & RM on the above issues.

2.         Jantar Mantar Protest Movement commenced to get Actual OROP Implemented.  Not only the OROP Anomalies have not been rectified, it seems the Govt has closed the file.  One Man Judicial Committee Report which was submitted to Govt on 26 Oct 2016 has neither been made public nor implemented even after the then RM Mr. Parikar’s assurance that it will done by 15^th Mar 2017.  The committee constituted in 2006 to resolve 6^th CPC Anomalies did not meet for 10 years. 

3.         Serving Chiefs are also the Chiefs of Veteran Defence Personnel.  It is surprising to note that they have also not replied to any of our letters written to them requesting them to intervene to resolve above issues. 

4         Protesting Veterans are being denied their right to be heard.  We heard the New Vice President yesterday in Rajay Sabha saying to Parliamentarians to Debate, discuss & decide; is it not applicable to the issues of Welfare being projected by Veteran Defence Personnel to the Govt?  Right to be heard is the Core Value of Good Governance in a Democracy. 

5.         790 days at Jantar Mantar and total neglect by the Govt.  Calling Protesting Veterans as Negative people to say the least is Unfair and Unjust.  You are all aware that what has been implemented is not OROP but only one time increase in pension.  However, the Govt has been misinforming the nation that OROP has been implemented.

6.         We have been requesting for Meeting with PM and RM which is being denied.  Unwritten blockage of media on Defence Veterans affairs since 12 Sep 2016 is also unfair.

7.         Our OROP Case in SC is taking too long a time.  The next date mentioned in SC schedule is 18 Aug 2017.  We are not sure if it will take place.  Court Case will go on for a long time.

8.         Inspite of Honble Hight Court Judgement, our Bank Account has not been opened for withdrawals.  May we appeal to veterans to kindly voluntarily contribute for the logistic Management of the Protest Movement.

9         We also request those veterans who have been suggesting closing down Jantar Mantar to suggest alternate option to be adopted to get Actual OROP Implemented and lead the same.  Our similar requests earlier have had “No takers”. 

10.         Under the circumstances, it is imperative and necessary to continue Protest at Jantar Mantar to raise our voice for Justice.  We, therefore appeal to all members of the Defence Veterans Fraternity to visit Jantar Mantar regularly to showcase solidarity to the Cause.  Your “Yogdan” is requested please.

            With regards,                                                

            Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)

United Front of Ex Servicemen Jantar Mantar

Tele No: 0124 -4110570 & Mobile: 9312404269,

:satbirsm@gmail.com   

Maj-Gen Ashok K Mehta (Retd)A meeting of the External Affairs Committee on Doklam was held on August 9, 2018. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last month in Parliament spoke assertively on two inter-related issues — Doklam and Wuhan, the first summit between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi. The Doklam standoff, she said, was resolved with China through ‘diplomatic maturity and without losing any ground’, adding ‘status quo had been maintained.’ The facts are somewhat different. At a US Congressional Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on this on July 25, Congresswoman Ann Wagner referred to the faceoff and said: ‘Although both countries backed down, China has quietly resumed its activities in Doklam.’ She added: ‘Neither Bhutan nor India had sought to dissuade it and China’s activities in the Himalayas were reminiscent of its fait accompli in South China Sea.’ Minister of State of External Affairs and former Army Chief, Gen VK Singh, said: ‘Since disengagement of Indian and Chinese personnel in Doklam on August 28, 2017, there have been no new developments at the faceoff site and its vicinity.’ Here, too, the facts are different.The US Congresswoman’s report calls for a more serious investigation. Firstly, the claims that the faceoff was resolved without ‘losing any ground’ can be interpreted differently. India did not lose any ground because Doklam is on the Bhutanese territory. Bhutan has not said a word more than a press handout on June 29, 2017, hoping that the status quo in the Doklam area will be maintained as before June 16, 2017. India intervened to prevent Chinese intrusion on Bhutanese soil which is also claimed by China. India let China off the hook in Doklam where it was militarily disadvantaged by seeking a pullback enabling Beijing to conduct the BRICS summit at Xiamen as well as the 19th Communist Party Convention. Though Swaraj had said in Parliament that the resolution of Doklam would be through mutual and simultaneous withdrawal, it was a sequential withdrawal, with the Indian troops withdrawing first followed by the PLA after declaring victory and hoping India had learnt the lessons. India had thus snatched psychological defeat from the jaws of a victory.As for the military build-up, the PLA constructed military fortifications, helipads, and logistics wherewithal for more than a battalion strength from scratch during the 73-day stand-off, with a further creep into the Bhutanese territory. Not a single Bhutanese soldier came out to join hands with Indian troops when they were locked in the face-off. The Indian Army, as it is its wont, has downplayed reports of heightened Chinese activity in the Doklam area, saying that the PLA has not crossed the Torsa Nullah, which is India’s red line to reaching the strategic tri-junction Gympoche, as claimed by China against the Indian version of the disputed tri-junction Batangla, 7 km to the north. No territory on the 100 sq km Doklam plateau belongs to India. Diplomatic maturity is a euphemism for concessions enabling PLA to strengthen its defences in the area. On the Wuhan summit, it would have been in conformity with parliamentary practice had Modi, who was present in the House, chosen to speak about it as requested by Members of Parliament. Instead, Swaraj said: ‘I may not have been there, but I am capable of replying the question’, adding, ‘the summit was to ensure mutual comfort, mutual understanding and mutual trust and we have achieved success in all three objectives.’What is less known is that like the disengagement from Doklam, Wuhan too was sought by India for securing the necessary comfort on the China front of the two-front scenario to ensure no military distractions develop in the run-up to the 2019 elections. Again, substantial concessions were made to Beijing to establish New Delhi’s bona fides in seeking the summit. To recap, serious back-channeling was done by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, NSA Ajit Doval and Ambassador Gautam Bambawale with their Chinese counterparts. The post-Doklam reset with China was begun by relocating the Dalai Lama’s ‘thank you for 60 years of Indian support’ function from New Delhi to Dharamsala and an advisory from the Cabinet Secretary directing all government officials to skip the ceremonies. The inter-faith ceremony at Rajghat on the 60th anniversary was postponed. The seventh World Parliamentary Convention on Tibet was shifted from New Delhi to Dharamsala. The Dalai Lama’s visit to the Indian Science Congress in Manipur was cancelled. The 20th annual International Asian Conference at the IDSA, New Delhi, which was to cover the BRI and be attended by delegates from the RoC, Taiwan, was cancelled at the eleventh hour due to fear of China-bashing. Australia was dropped from the annual Malabar Naval Exercise. Air India renamed its flight to RoC as Taipei, China.On the upside, India and China are to work jointly on a capacity-building project in Afghanistan. The Mansarovar pilgrimage has been resumed as has the sharing of hydropower data on the Brahmaputra river. The military exercise, Hand in Hand, is likely to be resumed in December. The hotline between Indian  and Chinese DGMOs pending since 2013 is stuck as the PLA wants it to terminate at the Western Theatre Command, not in Beijing, as India wants. The Chinese Defence Minister will visit India and so will his Indian counterpart, Nirmala Sitharaman, travel to China. The 21st round of Special Representative (SR) talks between Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi are to be held in Beijing, but the border question has been on the backburner since 2013 when it hit a cul de sac over the Mutually Acceptable Political Framework. After Wuhan, the two leaders urged the SRs to intensify efforts to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question. This is simply diplomatic verbiage, considering Xi rebuffed Modi when he sought clarification of the LAC in 2014.In an unprecedented three-day visit, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Kon Xuanyou, accompanied by a delegation, slipped into Bhutan last month and met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. Like they have done in Nepal, the Chinese want to liberate Bhutan from Indian hegemony, says the Global Times. Elections are due in Bhutan in October.Article 2 of the India-Bhutan Treaty reads: ‘Both countries will cooperate closely on issues relating to national interest. Neither will allow use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other.’ This is the de facto defence agreement that former Defence Minister Arun Jaitley spoke about during the Doklam standoff at an India Today conclave. Why is India coy about it?

Tribune News Service

Srinagar/Anantnag, August 2

Security forces on Thursday gunned down two militants, who had two days ago overpowered a policeman and snatched his rifle in Kupwara district. The looted weapon was also recovered.The gunfight erupted this afternoon at Khumriyal, Lolab, nearly 100 km from Srinagar, when militants fired at a joint checkpoint set up by the security forces.“While the checking at the naka was going on, terrorists fired on security personnel which was retaliated by the alert forces. In the brief encounter, two terrorists were eliminated by the security forces,” a police spokesman said.The killed militants have been identified as Bilal Ahmad Shah and Zahoor Ahmad, both residents of Kupwara. Affiliated to the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group, the duo had joined militant ranks this year.“Both terrorists were involved in several attacks on the security establishments and civilian atrocities in the area. Besides one AK-47, one INSAS rifle was recovered from the terrorists which had been snatched from a policeman in the Kandhar area of Kupwara (on July 31),” the spokesman said.There was no collateral damage during the encounter.The gunfight broke out close to the area where the rifle of a policeman was snatched on Tuesday. In a first such incident in Kupwara, militants had snatched a rifle from a policeman at Maidanpora area of Lolab on July 31. Incidents of rifle-snatching have earlier taken place in south and central Kashmir.

Protester hurt in firing

A protester was injured in the alleged firing by forces on Thursday in Lolab following the killing of two local Hizb militants. The injured has been identified as Mohammad Jamal Tantary. The forces allegedly opened fire on a group of protesters at the encounter site. The police said they were verifying the details.Ultras take away rifle from bank in AnantnagMilitants on Thursday afternoon snatched a 12-bore rifle of a bank guard in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The incident of weapon-snatching comes a day after militants robbed a branch of the SBI in the neighbouring Kulgam district and decamped with Rs 5.7 lakh. According to police reports, militants targeted a J&K Bank branch in the Brakpora area of Anantnag district. “We have reports that two people snatched the rifle from the bank guard about 3 pm,” a senior police official said. “No cash has been looted from the bank.”

Without AFSPA, the Army will be at the mercy of malevolent forces

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd)
Ex-deputy Chief of Army Staff

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 19

The Focal Point Industries Association has demanded an investigation into the installation of the new gate at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post. The Central Public Works Department has allotted Rs 22 lakh to the contractor for it whereas its market price is not more than Rs 60,000, the association said. Meanwhile, contractor Baldev Singh said that the gate weighed 5.5 tonne, not 5.5 quintal what the media reports have been claiming.It has written to the Prime Minister as well as the President for a thorough probe.Association chairman Kamal Dalmia said cost of the gate, weighing around 550 kg, was quoted Rs 22 lakh in the media reports. “It shouldn’t have cost more than Rs 60,000. The concerned government agency must have enquired from the market before paying such a huge money for the gate,” he said. People gather in large numbers at the JCP to view the Beating Retreat ceremony everyday in which opening of the gate with full force by BSF jawan is a major attraction point.He elaborated that the gate, made of mild steel, was 11-foot high and 51-foot wide with a replica of the BSF emblem on its top and Ashoka Emblem on the pillars. “The contract to build the said gate was given to a private firm for Rs 22 lakh which is highly inflated. Even if we include the cost of labour and other expenses, its cost should not exceed Rs 60,000,” Dalmia said.Quoting local market price, he said the best quality of mild steel was priced between Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg. “Additionally, Rs 20 per kg cost of labour and other overhead expenses make it roughly Rs 100 per kg. Multiplying 550 kg with Rs 100 makes it Rs 55,000. Industrialists were shocked as they went through the cost of the gate,” he said.“It seems that the hard-earned money of the taxpayers is being spent without any check. We are not fully aware of the system or checks being applied by the government agencies for the approval of tenders for supply of material to private agencies. The system needs to be reviewed,” he said, adding that a proper investigation must be carried out and the members of the sanctioning committee should be dealt with strictly if any mala fide intention surfaces.The new gate is a part of the Rs 33 crore revamp project of the visitor’s gallery, which has been expanded to have a sitting capacity of around 20,000.When contacted, BSF DIG RS Kataria said the force had nothing to do with it. “The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has installed the gate after following due procedure. The BSF didn’t release the price of the gate as it is the CPWD which carries out construction work. The price of gate was quoted by the gate fabricator. If there is some objection over it, the law will take its own course,” he added. No official of the CPWD could be contacted for comments.