Relationship between leaders and led to be improved: JJ

Srinagar, Nov 3 (UNI) Army Chief General J J Singh today said short-term and long-term measures would soon be taken to improve the relationship between the ''leaders and the led''.

''We are going to take short-term and long-term measures to address all our concerns and to improve the relationship between the leaders and the led,'' Gen Singh told a news conference here.

He said the measures would be mainly institutional. ''Firstly, we will ensure that our junior leaders are trained to focus upon how to have the best relationship between the leaders and the led.'' The Army Chief said it would also be ensured that the gap between the soldiers and the unit leaders was reduced.

He blamed the unit leaders for the increase in fratricides in the Army in the recent past. ''Many units are facing such challenges, but things are absolutely normal there. In odd cases, perhaps it is the failure of the leadership at that particular unit and sub-unit level,'' Gen Singh added.

He said personal and domestic problems faced by an individual cause stress for the person and possibly lead to these cases. ''We are analysing the cases and will take corrective action.'' The Army Chief said long-term measures would involve taking up with the government certain recommendations to improve the condition of a soldier.

''The Pay Commission is going to sit soon...perhaps some of these can be addressed through that. More married accommodation could be arranged for soldiers to enable to live them with their families. We are looking if some soldiers do need medical attention and counselling,'' Gen Singh added.

The Army Chief said mostly the fragging and suicides take place in areas where counter-insurgency operations were going on.

''But, these incidents do also occur in areas where there is no insurgency. That is why we say the cause could be socio-economic as well,'' he added.

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