GUWAHATI:
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, on April 23, said the work of removing Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is being done in the Northeastern states for the past three-four years and cited its recent repeal from several areas.
Felicitating veterans of the 1971 Indo-Pak war at a function held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakeshtra here, Singh said that the removal of AFSPA from many areas of the North East is the result of durable peace and stability in the region.
“Some people believe that the Indian Army does not want AFSPA to be removed. I want to say from this forum that the Army has a minimal role in internal security,” he said.
Over 300 war veterans, Veer Naris and their families attended the felicitation ceremony organised by the Assam government to honour the valour, dedication and sacrifice of the bravehearts who fought the enemy and ensured victory in the 1971 war.
Lt Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (retd), a Bangladeshi veteran of the 1971 war who was awarded a Padma Shri was among those present. Some of the veterans of the 1965 war were also in attendance.
Singh expressed his happiness at meeting the war heroes and Veer Naris and paid tributes to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
Singh described the veterans as important assets of the nation who are an inspiration to every Indian.
“An in-service soldier is India’s strength and a veteran is an everlasting inspiration to stand by that strength,” he said.
Appreciating the Assam government for felicitating the veterans, Singh stated that the event reflected a sense of respect not only for the armed forces but also for the country’s democratic values.
He paid homage to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, General Jagjit Singh Arora, Lt Gen JFR Jacob, Major General Sujan Singh Uban and Air Chief Marshal IH Latif for leading India to a historic triumph in the 1971 war.
“Our forces in the 1971 war comprised soldiers from every religion. But that did not win us the war. It was the strong thread of Indianness that held our soldiers together which ensured our victory,” he said.
Singh appealed to the citizens to safeguard the unity and integrity of the country with the same nationalism and patriotism with which the soldiers protect the borders.
The 1971 war provided India with a strategic advantage, Singh added, saying that there has never been any tension on the Indo-Bangladesh border as seen on the western front because Bangladesh has always been India’s friendly country. He credited the coordination between the central and state governments of the North East which has ensured peace and stability on the Indo-Bangladesh border and helped the region usher in a new era of development.
Reiterating that the government must ensure the well-being and satisfaction of the ex-servicemen, Singh assured the veterans of all possible support. He said, the government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the welfare of the ex-servicemen, as every warrior of today is a respected veteran of tomorrow.
On the occasion, Singh also released a book ‘The Bravehearts of 1971’. Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among those present during the felicitation ceremony.