Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the mission of full integration of J&K that started on August 5, 2019, will be completed when Gilgit-Baltistan and areas of the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) reunite with India. Singh said the journey will be completed when the refugees of 1947 will get justice and their ancestors’ land will be returned to them with respect.
Speaking during the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ in Budgam district to commemorate the Indian Army’s successes made after the landing of soldiers in J&K on October 27, 1947, the Defence Minister said India is committed to implement the resolution passed in the Parliament about retrieving the part of Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan including Gilgit and Baltistan.
“Now we have just started walking towards the north. Our journey will be completed only when we implement the resolution passed unanimously in the Indian Parliament on February 22, 1994, and accordingly, we will reach our remaining parts, such as Gilgit and Baltistan,” he added.
The Defence Minister said the region of Kashmir and Ladakh is on the path of progress at a much faster rate than the normal territories.
“This state is touching new heights of development one after the other. But I would like to say here that we have just started the development of this area,” he added.
He further said that after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir is marching towards success, peace and prosperity.
Questioning the role of Pakistan, the Defence Minister said that Pakistan, which sheds crocodile tears in the name of human rights, is committing atrocities against people in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the country would have to bear its consequences.
“I would like to ask Pakistan how many rights has it given to the people of our areas that it has taken unauthorized possession of. Everyone knows how much Pakistan, which sheds crocodile tears in the name of human rights, cares for the people of these areas. Pakistan is fully responsible for inhuman incidents. Pakistan, which is sowing the seeds of atrocities in PoJK today, will have to face thorns in the coming time,” said Singh.
“I am convinced of the strength of the people here and our armies. The day is not far when all these mandates will be successfully fulfilled,” he said.
The Defence Minister also slammed the “so-called intellectuals” for bringing the “human rights of terrorists” in the region.
“In order to ensure the safety of the public in this area, whenever any action has been taken on terrorists and their allies by the army or state security forces, some so-called intellectuals of the country have found a violation of human rights of terrorists in that action,” he said.
“I am also surprised that when our forces are attacked, security forces are attacked, or the general public is attacked by the same terrorists and they are treated ruthlessly, then where does the concern for human rights go?” asks Rajnath.
During the event, the replication of the historic event was organised to pay obeisance to the brave soldiers and people of J&K. The Defence Minister, along with the citizens, witnessed the re-enactment of history, covering the violation of the ‘Standstill Agreement’ by Pakistan. The event also depicted the arrival of the Indian Army on October 27, 1947 to evict the Pakistani Forces. The Next of Kin of war veterans, who travelled from across the country, were felicitated at the event.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was also present at the programme. Singh also visited an exhibition by the Indian Army on the occasion.
Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande; GOC-in-C, Northern Command Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi; Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command Air Marshal S Prabhakaran; General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps Lieutenant General ADS Aujla, along with several other civil and military dignitaries attended the event.