Peaceful J&K requiring no army on internal front our goal: CM

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister (CM), Omar Abdullah on Tuesday lauded the role of Indian Army in safe-guarding the borders of country and rending stupendous service to the people during natural calamities and in the hours of need. The Chief Minister was inaugurating Balidan Sthambh (The Pillar of Sacrifice) constructed by Indian Army here as a memorial for soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in wars and counter terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The Balidan Sthambh signifies national integration and the time tested lineage between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Armed Forces. The memorial was handed over to the Chief Minister by the Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor at an impressive function attended by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Ministers of State, Shabir Ahmed Khan and Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Devendar Singh Rana, Chief Secretary, S.S Kapur, GOC Western Command, Lt. Gen T. K. Sapru, GOC Northern Command, Lt. Gen B.S Jaswal, Director General Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, senior army, police and civil officers and families of the martyrs of armed forces. Omar said that the memorial will always remind the people of the great sacrifices made by the jawans and provide an opportunity to pay homage to the martyrs. “The memorial, I hope would emerge as a tourist place in the coming days and visitors would make it a point to stop here for a while”, he added. The Chief Minister referring to the role of army in helping civil administration to maintained peace and law and order in the challenging situation in Jammu and Kashmir, said that army never asks for any task regarding the maintenance of internal security, as its role is to protect the borders and fight the enemies for which they have been actually trained. “It is the situation which compels the civil government to call army for meeting the exigencies and protect the lives of citizens”, he said. Omar said that state and centre governments are working together to restore the permanent peace and stability in the state so that every citizen breaths in the atmosphere of peace and tranquility. “We want to create a situation where no army man will be required for the protection of the people on internal front”, he said. Omar thanked the army for constructed the befitting memorial in Jammu city signifying the martyrdom of Indian Army, making reference to the efforts of former Chief of Army Staff, General N.C Vij in this regard. He said General Vij projected and piloted the work on the project which has ultimately come up as a marvelous monument. He asked the authorities to maintain the grandeur, cleanliness and ambience of the memorial and the garden dedicated by the Indian Army to people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapur thanked the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah for presiding over the function and inaugurating the memorial. He paid rich tributes to the army jawans who laid their lives while protecting the honour and safety of the country and its people. “The martyrs will always be remembered” he said adding that Balidan Sthambh would inspire the youth to inculcate the spirit of patriotism. The GOC Western Command Lt. General T. K. Sapru welcomed the guests and gave resume of the efforts put in by the army especially retired General Vij for the construction of the memorial at Jammu city. The Balidan Sthambh is a soaring 60 metre high tower symbolizing a bayoneted rifle. The tower pierces the sky and epitomises courage and valour. At the base of the tower is an eternal flame, a timeless commemoration of the supreme sacrifice made by the brave martyrs on the soil of Jammu and Kashmir, while upholding the unity and integrity of India. The memorial tower is surrounded by three layers of water bodies, each at a different level signifying the gradual alleviation of grief of the near and dear ones of the martyrs. The first water body is calm and still denoting dignity and pride, while the central water body flows into the lower level representing the energy of eternal life. Soft lilting melody from the musical fountains fills the air with nostalgia. As a befitting backdrop to the majestic tower, is an immaculate black granite wall on which, the history of each of the wars fought in Jammu and Kashmir since Independence is engraved, recounting the sage of blood and courage. A necklace of 52 memorial pillars adorns the front of the memorial tower. On these, the names of all martyrs are etched on stone in golden colour, bearing testimony of their selfless sacrifice. The memorial rises from lush green contoured lawns which accentuate the tranquil ambience as one walks up to the base of the tower to pay homage to the martyrs. The function began by the unveiling of the inaugural stone by Chief Minister. The three Cheetah helicopters at this point in time flew over showering petals over the audience. This followed by the lighting of eternal flame and wreath laying. The Chief Minister, Union Minister and others also signed the visitor’s book penning down their tributes of the martyrs.