Six Army personnel were on Tuesday injured in a landmine explosion in a forward village in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The troops were on patrol duty when a soldier accidentally stepped over the landmine near the Khanba Fort…

Six Army personnel were on Tuesday injured in a landmine explosion in a forward village in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The troops were on patrol duty when a soldier accidentally stepped over the landmine near the Khanba Fort area in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri at 10.45 am, triggering the explosion. The injured were rushed to hospital. Their condition was stated to be stable.

Sam Manekshaw: The brave soldier who said no to Indira Gandhi

(Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, SM)

MODESTY AND MORAL COURAGE (Modesty is a quality of being unassuming in the estimation of one’s own abilities. Modesty is also in harmony with Empathy, Creativity, Accountability, Compassion, Humility and Grit. Field Marshal Manekshaw fits into this frame. He was fondly called Sam Bahadur (Sam the Brave). A courageous man, Sam led by example. His distinguished career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with World War II and culminating in the 1971 Indo Pak war as Chief of the victorious Indian Army that liberated Bangladesh. In 1941, in Burma, he was hit by a burst of LMG bullets and received nine in the lung, liver and in his kidney: he was critically wounded. Major General DT Cowan, commanding the 17 Infantry Division was aware of Manekshaws valour in the battle and his serious injuries, he pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on Manekshaw saying, “A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross.” Manekshaw was moved to the hospital. So grievous were his injuries that the surgeon was ready to give up on his bullet-riddled body until he asked Manekshaw what had happened. Sam’s reply was, “Nothing happened, I was kicked by a donkey.” A man who could joke even when grievously injured had a chance, the surgeon thought. And he did. Going on to become the eighth Chief of the Indian Army. He never lost his courage and humour. How did he get the nick name Sam Bahadur? Manekshaw never commanded a Gorkha regiment but was an avowed admirer of Gorkha soldiers. So impressed was he by their fighting skills and valour that he made this monumental remark: “If a soldier says he is not afraid of death, he is either lying or he is a Gorkha.” Once, a Gorkha soldier named Harka Bahadur Gurung, standing guard as a ceremonial sentry was asked by Sam in Gorkhali: “Mero naam ke ho? (What’s my name?)”. Without batting an eyelid, the soldier replied, “Sam Bahadur, saab.” Sam loved the quick response, and the name stuck. As a senior officer, Manekshaw was a decisive leader and an able listener who was always considerate to those under his command. He spoke with mirth and was famous for his irreverent jokes which kept those around him stress free. He would simply walk into his Staff Officer’s office if he had a point to discuss; this made his team comfortable relaxed and efficient. His humility was specifically highlighted when he was asked to go to Dhaka to accept the surrender of Pakistani forces at the end of 1971 war. Manekshaw declined the honour, saying that it belonged to the Eastern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora who had commanded the forces in that theatre. Such acts of Modesty won him great respect. He was equally strong in displaying Moral Courage. • As GOC of a Corps, he denied Indira Gandhi’s entry into the Operations Room during briefing of Prime Minister Nehru saying she had not taken the oath to secrecy of a Minister. Six years later as the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi accepted him as the Chief of the Indian Army. • In 1971, he steadfastly refused to follow the orders Mrs Indira Gandhi, for launching immediate military operations against East Pakistan. Pointing out that it would be premature and inopportune, he also told her in no uncertain terms that if she did not agree, she could appoint someone else. • His own views of a Yes Man: “A ‘Yes man’ is a dangerous man. He is a menace. He will go very far. He can become a minister, a secretary or a Field Marshall but he can never become a leader nor, ever be respected. He will be used by his superiors, disliked by his colleagues and despised by his subordinates. So discard the ‘Yes man’.“ 95 Indian Mountain Brigade entered East Pakistan on 3 Dec 1971 from Kamalpur Border Out Post (BOP) defended by a company of 31 Baluch, platoon of Rangers and Razakaars. The BOP had well-prepared defences including concrete bunkers. They fought resolutely and finally surrendered on 4 Dec. The bravery and tenacity of the young Pak Company commander Captain Ashan Malik was appreciated by General Manekshaw who stated that “Militarily his performance was excellent” and that he should be shown special courtesy as a POW. India captured over 90,000 Pakistani troops in the 1971 war. They were all treated with the dignity due to a POW. Sam was the first Indian officer to reach at Delhi Railway Station to meet the Pakistani POWs. He shared a cup of tea and chatted with them for some time. The POWs were seen shaking their heads, saying that they wished they had generals like this in Pakistan. This photograph speaks volumes of Sam’s character, strength and confidence.

ਅਕਬਰ ਦੇ ਕੈਦ ਕੀਤੇ ਫਰੀਦ ਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਲਈ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਉਂਗਲ ਲਾਈੰ ਪਿੰਡੋਂ ਤੁਰੀ ਲੱਧੀ (ਦੁਲੇ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ) ਨੇ ਲਹੌਰ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਪੜਾਅ ਕੀਤਾ… ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਣ ਲੱਗੇ ਛੋਹਰ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ ਆ ਬੈਠੀ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਬੇ ਬਾਪੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਮਾਂਦਾਰ ਦੱਸੇ… ਦੁੱਲੇ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਦੋ ਰੋਟੀਆਂ ‘ਚੋ ਬਚਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਰੋਟੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਤੇ ਰੱਖ ਦਿੱਤੀ…ਮਾਂ ਲੱਧੀ ਨੇ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਦੇ ਖਾਲੀ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਵੇਂਹਦਿਆਂ ਰੋਟੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਨੇ ਕੁੜੀ ਵੱਲ ਹੱਥ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਆਖਿਆ “ਇੱਕ ਇਹਨੂੰ ਲੋੜੀ ਸੀ”
ਅੱਜ ਦੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ‘ਚ ਕਹੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਕਹਿ ਹੋਊ ਕਿ ਇੱਕ ਇਹਨੂੰ ਲੋੜੀਂਦੀ ਸੀ..
“ਇਹ ਕੁੜੀ ਕਿੱਥੋ ਆਈ ਐ” ਲੱਧੀ ਨੇ ਕੁੜੀ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਵੱਲ ਵੇਖਿਆ
“ਇਹ ਕੁੜੀ ਅੱਜ ਤੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਭੈਣ ਹੋਈ” ਨਿਧੜਕ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਨੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਕੁੜੀ ਨੂੰ ਭੈਣ ਮੰਨ ਲਿਆ।
ਵਾਹਵਾ ਪੁਰਾਣੀਆਂ ਕਥਾ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ ਪੜੋ ਤਾ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਕਿ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਲੋਹੜੀ ਓਸ ਤਬਕੇ ਨੇ ਮਨਾਈ ਜਿਹਨਾ ਦੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਨੇ ਭੈਣ ਮੰਨਿਆ.. ਜਿਵੇਂ ਉਸ ਕੁੜੀ ਨੇ ਰੋਟੀ ਮੰਗੀ ਤੇ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਦੇ ਜਵਾਬ “ਇਹਨੂੰ ਲੋੜੀ ਸੀ” ਤੋ ਨਿੱਕਲੇ ਵਾਕ ਤੋਂ ਲੋੜੀਂ ਦਾ ਹੋਕਾ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਮੰਗਣ ਤੋ ਇਹ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਤੁਰਿਆ। ਪਰ ਇਸ ਵੇਲ਼ੇ ਇਹ ਤਿਹਾਰ ਸਿਰਫ ਇਸੇ ਤਬਕੇ ਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ।
ਐਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਗੱਲ ਦੱਸਣਯੋਗ ਐ ਕਿ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਂ ਬਾਪ ਥਾਪੜਾ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਦੁੱਲਾ ਪੁੱਤ ਆਖਦੇ ਆ.. ਇਹ ਦੁੱਲਾ ਇੱਕ ਮੈਡਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਸੀ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਇਸ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਈ ਇਸੇ ਤਬਕੇ ਵੱਲੋ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ… ਘੋਲ ਛਿੰਝਾਂ ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ.. ਇਸ ਤਬਕੇ ਦਾ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਭਲਵਾਨ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਰਈਸ ਦੇ ਪਹਿਲਵਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਢਾਹ ਲੈੰਦਾ ਓਹਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਪਹਿਲਵਾਨ ਦਾ ਖਿਤਾਬ ਮਿਲ਼ਦਾ.. ਇਵੇ ਦੁੱਲਾ ਤਕੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਦਾ ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਵੀ ਬਣਿਆ..

ਸੁੰਦਰ ਮੁੰਦਰੀਏ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਇਸ ਤੋ ਅੱਗੇ ਦੀ ਐ..ਜਵਾਨ ਹੋਏ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਕਸੂਰ ਦੇ ਮੀਰ ਨੇ ਵਾਸਤਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੀ.. ਪਹਿਲਿਆਂ ਜਮਾਨਿਆਂ ‘ਚ ਰਾਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਗਾਓਣ ਲਗਦੇ, ਓਹਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਜਲਸੇ ਵੀ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ.. ਕਸੂਰ ਦੇ ਮਰਾਸੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਤੇ ਜਲਸਾ ਲਾਇਆ ਜਿਹਦੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਨਾ ਲਈ.. ਕੋਤਵਾਲ ਜਲਸੇ ਦਾ ਟੈਕਸ ਨਾ ਭਰਨ ਦੇ ਜੁਰਮ ‘ਚ ਮਿਰਾਸੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਸੁੰਦਰਾਂ ਤੇ ਮੁੰਦਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਤਵਾਲੀ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ… ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਕੋਲ ਵਾਸਤਾ ਜਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਦੋਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੁਡਾ ਕਿ ਉਹਨਾ ਦੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾਂ ਕੋਲ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਆਇਆ… ਐਦੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਮੁੰਦਰੀਏ ਦਾ ਗਾਓਣ ਜਲਸਿਆਂ ‘ਚੋਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਪੂਰੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ‘ਚ ਧੁੰਮ ਗਿਆ…
ਇਹ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਧਰਮ ਜਾਂ ਤਬਕੇ ਦਾ ਨਾ ਰਿਹਾ… ਸੂਰਮੇ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਦੇ ਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੇ ਗਲਵੱਕੜੀ ਪਾਉਣ ਵਾਂਗ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਲ ਲਾਇਆ…ਜੰਮੇ ਮੁੰਡਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਲੋਹੜੀ ਵੰਡਣ ਦੀ ਮਿੱਥ ਵੀ ਐਹੀ ਐ ਕਿ ਜੰਮਿਆ ਪੁੱਤ ਦੁੱਲੇ ਵਰਗਾ ਹੋਵੇ।
ਮੁਬਾਰਕਾਂ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਹੜੀ ਦੀਆਂ..।

With Defence Minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to visit Jammu on Tuesday, security forces, including the police, have been placed on high alert. Singh is set to visit the Tanda Artillery Brigade in Akhnoor to attend the 9th Armed Forces Veteran’s…

With Defence Minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to visit Jammu on Tuesday, security forces, including the police, have been placed on high alert.

Singh is set to visit the Tanda Artillery Brigade in Akhnoor to attend the 9th Armed Forces Veteran’s Day, an event being organised under the aegis of the Northern Command to honour “Armed Forces veterans and Veer Naris.”

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar and GOC White Knight Corps, Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva, will also participate in the event.

To ensure tight security, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have enhanced their vigilance. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Division, Anand Jain, has been holding meetings with senior officials across the region.

ADGP Jain recently visited the districts of Kathua and Samba to reinforce the border and security management gridand along the International Border (IB).

“In light of the VVIP visit, the current security situation and the upcoming Republic Day 2025, I conducted a late-night review of security and border management measures in the Samba and Kathua districts on Sunday and Monday,” said an official. During his inspection, the ADGP stressed the need for maintaining peace in the area. He urged officials to remain vigilant and proactive.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan will attend the ninth Armed Forces Veterans’ Day event here on Tuesday, a defence spokesman said. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah…

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan will attend the ninth Armed Forces Veterans’ Day event here on Tuesday, a defence spokesman said.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with senior military and civil officials will also attend the event to be held at the Tanda artillery brigade in Akhnoor under the aegis of the Army’s Northern Command to honour the force veterans and “veer naris”, the spokesman said.

About 1,000 armed forces veterans from Jammu, Akhnoor, Pallanwala, Rakhmuthi, Naushera and Sunderbani are likely to attend the function, which will also include the hoisting of a 108 feet national flag and the inauguration of a heritage museum in Akhnoor, the spokesman said. The J-K culture department will present cultural performances reflecting the region’s rich heritage, he said.

As a special gesture, mobility equipment like motorised wheelchairs, e-scooters, and autorickshaws will also be distributed to the veterans, he added. The event reflects the Army’s respect and unwavering commitment to care for the war widows and veterans who served the nation with pride and dedication, the spokesman said. — PTI

The much-anticipated Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh is set to commence on January 13, following a delay caused by the late formation of ice along the riverbanks. The trek, which attracts adventure enthusiasts from across the…

Arjun Sharma

The much-anticipated Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh is set to commence on January 13, following a delay caused by the late formation of ice along the riverbanks. The trek, which attracts adventure enthusiasts from across the country every year, was initially scheduled to begin on January 7 but was postponed due to weather conditions.

An official announcement revealed that after a reconnaissance mission by the UT Disaster Response Force (UTDRF) in collaboration with representatives from the Wildlife and Tourism Departments, as well as the All Ladakh Tour Operator Association (ALTOA) and Ladakh Mountain Guides Association (LMGA), the revised date for the trek has been confirmed, contingent on favourable weather conditions.

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, has also released a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the successful and safe conduct of the trek. Trekkers will begin arriving in Leh on January 13, where they will rest for acclimatisation for a day before undergoing medical checks.

Travel agencies are required to ensure that all trekkers possess the necessary equipment and gear for the trek; without these, they will not be permitted to participate. ALTOA will be responsible for organising and providing the required gear.

An identity card will be issued to each porter, cook, helper and guide by ALTOA, and medical facilities will be available to the trek crew. To ensure safety and comfort, firewood for halts along the trek will be transported from Leh, with ALTOA taking responsibility for this. Travel companies will also be required to provide proper accommodation, tents, and food for the trekking team.

Additionally, the SOP mandates that all vehicles used for transportation must play an audio advisory issued by the Tourism Department, and an oxygen cylinder must be present in every vehicle at all times.

In terms of waste management, the Wildlife Department will distribute green bags for trash and collect a security deposit from guides, which will be refunded upon the return of all waste.

To regulate the number of trekkers, a maximum of 10 groups will be allowed to embark on the trek each day, with no more than 10 trekkers per group. The police are also exploring options to establish a communication network along the trekking route.

The LAHDC has made it clear that anyone violating the regulations, whether they are tourists, travel agencies, or taxi operators, will face a fine of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for a first offense. Repeated violators may face fines ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. In severe cases, the administration reserves the right to revoke the license of the tour operator responsible for non-compliance with the SOPs

Army troops are training members of Village Defence Guard (VDG) in the border areas of Jammu district to strengthen the anti-infiltration grid, officials said on Monday. The police have raised Village Defence Guard in areas along the border with Pakistan…

Army troops are training members of Village Defence Guard (VDG) in the border areas of Jammu district to strengthen the anti-infiltration grid, officials said on Monday.

The police have raised Village Defence Guard in areas along the border with Pakistan. The training for Village Defence Guard members is being conducted by the Army’s Chenab Brigade, the officials said.

They further said that a week-long training camp has been organised in several border villages of Jammu district to enhance the participants’ skills in minor tactics, endurance, and firing.

Soldiers posted at Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, can now enjoy high-speed internet services, the Army said on Monday. “Connectivity at the highest battlefield of the world. Fire and Fury Corps, in collaboration with Jio Telecom, successfully…

Soldiers posted at Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, can now enjoy high-speed internet services, the Army said on Monday.

“Connectivity at the highest battlefield of the world. Fire and Fury Corps, in collaboration with Jio Telecom, successfully installed the first-ever 5G mobile tower on the Siachen glacier,” the Army’s Fire & Fury Corps said in a post on X.

“This indomitable feat is dedicated to our brave soldiers who are deployed in challenging conditions. Fire and Fury Signallers and Siachen warriors overcame harsh terrain and extreme temperatures below -40 degrees Celsius to install the 5G BTS at North Glacier,” it said.

Reliance Jio said it has successfully deployed plug-and-play pre-configured equipment at a forward post, leveraging its indigenous full-stack 5G technology. This achievement was made possible in coordination with Army Signallers from planning to multiple training sessions, system pre-configuration and comprehensive testing, the company’s spokesperson said.

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The company said the Indian Army was pivotal in managing logistics, including airlifting Jio’s equipment to Siachen Glacier.

This collaboration ensured connectivity at 16,000 feet in the Karakoram range, an area characterised by extreme conditions, it added.

India summons Bangladesh envoy

Ubeer Naqushbandi Tribune News Service

India on Monday stood firm in its stance on the ongoing fencing project in its territory along the India-Bangladesh border, saying it had observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments.

New Delhi conveyed its message to Dhaka through Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Nural Islam, who was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

There was a flare-up between the two countries earlier this week after the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) objected to the BSF’s attempt to erect fencing in certain areas along the border. The BSF and the BGB’s Director General-level talks are scheduled for next month and the matter is expected to come up for discussions.

The development comes as tensions continue to simmer between the two countries with Dhaka on Sunday summoning Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma to convey its message that the fencing project at the border is “unauthorised”, which “undermines the spirit of cooperation between the two countries”.

The fencing by India is meant to stop illegal migration from the neighbouring country. Nearly 800 km of the 4,096 km boundary between the two countries does not have a fence. On the Dhaka envoy being summoned, the MEA said, “It was conveyed to him that while taking security measures at the border, including fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the BSF and the BGB”.

New Delhi reiterated its commitment to ensuring a “crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking.” “Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are among the measures for securing the border,” the MEA said.

“India conveyed its expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will be a cooperative approach to combat cross-border crimes,” it added. On Sunday, the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka released a statement saying, “Foreign Secretary Mohd Jashim Uddin expressed deep concern to the Indian envoy… and asked India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the border”.

It said activities, particularly the “unauthorised attempt to construct a barbed wire fencing and related operational actions by the BSF, had caused tensions and disturbances.

Since August last year, when Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus became the head of the interim government in Bangladesh, the relations between the two countries have soured.

Arranging adequate water for the civilian population which will be excluded from the three cantonment towns of Kasauli, Dagshai and Subathu after the excising exercise will be a tough task for the Jal Shakti Department (JSD). Significantly, discussions have been…

Arranging adequate water for the civilian population which will be excluded from the three cantonment towns of Kasauli, Dagshai and Subathu after the excising exercise will be a tough task for the Jal Shakti Department (JSD).

Significantly, discussions have been held between the Ministry of Defence and the officials of the Jal Shakti Department where the former have clearly stated that the existing facility would continue to the civilian population for six months where water would be provided at the rate of Rs 60.52 per 1,000 litres which is the existing rate. Water supplied by the Military Engineering Services is thrice the amount charged by the state government in urban areas while it was minimum Rs 110 in rural households, as per an estimate made by the Jal Shakti Department.

With limited scope to provide water in places like Subathu and Dagshai, the Jal Shakti Department faces a major challenge in arranging adequate water for the civilian population of 2,904 in Dagshai and 8,720 of Subathu.

Though the Jal Shakti Department can lift water from Ghamber Khud for Subathu but since there are many stakeholders it would not be an easy task. “Even if the villagers give a no objection certificate to permit the Jal Shakti Department to lift water it will take one to two years to streamline the scheme,” stated Jal Shakti Department officials.

In Dagshai the water scenario was more dire as the Jal Shakti Department has no alternate water source to lift water to cater to the civilian population.

Though there are two natural water springs North and South water springs, through which water is supplied to the civilians, they would remain with the defence authorities after the excising exercise. The Jal Shakti Department has demanded grant of both springs to them to ensure water availability to the civilians.

In Kasauli cantonment the water problem could be solved as a Rs 102 crore ambitious Giri water lifting scheme would be commissioned soon. The Kasauli Cantonment Board has a population of 3,885, as per the 2011 Census.

Bhanu Uday Assistant Engineer Jal Shakti Department, Dharampur, stated that they were yet to work out the modalities of water arrangement in civilian areas of cantonment towns of the area.