Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 12:
Denial by a top brass of Army of any plan towards launching a Bhutan-type militant flush out operations in neighboring Bangladesh and Myanmar has virtually put a full stop to speculations that Indian army was preparing for a joint strike against militants holed up in these neighboring countries.
Chief of the Army' s Eastern Command Lt Gen JS Mukherjee who was in Nagaland on his two-day visit said that such operation depends on the policy of the Government as well as participation of the countries concerned.
Bhutan type militant flush out operation depends on the mutual policy of both the Governments, which does not exist so far with Myanmar and Bangladesh, the General said after addressing ex-servicemen at the 2 Assam Rifles Ground, Kohima on Friday.
"Any such flush out operation in the neighboring countries depends on the policy of their own", said the General and ruled out any such move from the Indian Army.
Referring to the military delegation of Myanmar, which visited the country last month and had a high-level meeting with Indian counterpart at the headquarters of 3 Corps, Rangapahar cantonment near here, he said that it is a routine affair for maintaining a warm relation.
On the prevailing situation in neighboring Manipur, especially in Chandel district where the insurgents have taken total control of certain areas, Gen Mukherjee simply asked for time and added that the security forces would move in and progressively remove all the anti-national elements.
"Give us a little time and we will remove them", he said.
General Mukherjee is due to retire next month.
On the backlash from the people in Manipur alleging fake killings, excesses and human rights violations by the security forces, he said that it is investigating each and every case and disclosed that in most cases, 99 percent of the allegations are false while those found guilty are given necessary punishment as deemed fit under the law.
Gen Mukherjee also pointed that whenever any operation is carried out, a certain section of the citizens get affected and the latter naturally complaints.
He also denied the ongoing backlash was due to failure of security forces to win the hearts of the people sayings that it has already done the, exercise a lot.
Reacting to another query, Gen Mukherjee said that the prevailing problem in neighboring Manipur is inter-related to Nagaland but refused to comment further.
Meanwhile, the chief of the Eastern Command assured ex-servicemen that the army is doing all its best to address their problems and at the same time asserted the need to support each other.