Army Vice Chief Meets Gujjar, Bakrawal Elders From Kashmir

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Army Vice Chief Lt Gen S Pattabhiraman today met a group of elders comprising 'Sarpanches' and 'Lambardars' from the Gujjar and Bakrawal communities of Jammu&Kashmir.

This group of 30 elders -- hailing from remote villages of Budhal Tehsil of Rajouri district and Gul Gulab Garh Tehsil of Udhampur district -- are on a 14-day tour of the country during which they will be visiting historical places at Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and Jaipur.

The aim of the tour is to give the people of J&K, especially from remote villages, an opportunity to see how the life is developing in other parts of India as also showcase the secular fibre of the country, said an official spokesman here.

Interacting with the Kashmiri elders, the Army Vice Chief reiterated his commitment to a humane approach being adopted while dealing with the people, particularly the women, children and elderly.

He also shared with the group details of various projects executed under 'Operation Sadbhavana' by the Army including vocational training, and improving communication infrastructure, schooling facilities and electrification of remote areas in J&K.

The elders conveyed their appreciation to the Army in marginalising terrorism and for the recent relief and rescue operations in the State.

UNI DG VD PM1543