Gen Singh Army Chief

Even as Gen J.J. Singh took over as the new Army chief today, his predecessor Gen N.C. Vij bugled his achievements, saying that the Armed Fo...

Even as Gen J.J. Singh took over as the new Army chief today, his predecessor Gen N.C. Vij bugled his achievements, saying that the Armed Forces have succeeded in bringing the situation close to normal in J-K and North-East.

‘‘Things are much better now than what they were sometime ago. Confidence of people is increasing, for example in the civic polls in Baramulla and Sopore, there was 50 per cent voting. Infiltration is down to a trickle, despite the best efforts from the other side. The border fencing has been very successful,’’ the outgoing Army Chief said.

The number of militants in the Valley has gone down from 3,500 to I,700 too, he added.

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On the alleged ceasefire violation about two weeks ago, Gen Vij said: ‘‘These stray cases can be due to militants getting frustrated, or they may be abetted by other forces. But there is no cause for concern. We have been successful in eliminating top militant leadership.’’

Gen Vij’s last month as Army Chief was not without event — rape and murder charges against an Army jawan in Sikkim, the dismissal of Major Rahman in a rape case today, and the alleged trans-LoC mortar fires two weeks ago. The General, who was in J-K at the time, was compelled to play down the incidents, considering the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan.

The following may be counted among Gen Vij’s achievements: The construction of a fence along the LoC; introduction of several welfare projects within the Army, like the health scheme for ex-servicemen, and most importantly, the implementation of the Ajai Vikram Singh Committee report, which at the end of last year facilitated the promotions of 19,000 Army officers.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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