Army Head calls for constant vigil against ISI opertors

Bangalore, Apr 11 (UNI) Maj General B Sivasankar, General Officer Commanding ATNK and K Area today called for a constant vigil on the developments in the neighbouring countries and States and within Karnataka following recent arrests of ISI operatives and recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition in Southern States.

Speaking at the Civil- Military Liaison conference here He said the southern states also need to be wary of the increased naxalite activities in Northern and Central parts of the country as repercussions would be felt in these states and called for adopting proactive measures to prevent the growth, cut off support base and eradicate the naxal menace.

He termed as a step forward the establishment of a Subsidiary Multi Agency Centre (SMAC) in the city. With this 19 states have adopted the forum and needless to mention that regular meetings and sharing of intelligence inputs would be invaluable, he said.

Focussing on the shortage of land for the Defence Service in the city he urged the state government to give large chunks of lands as there was a need for infrastructure following the modernisation of the Armed forces.

He also said that there was need to set up an Authentic Verification procedure to verify the antecedents of the candidates before they were trained and confirmed as soldiers, he said adding that delayed or incorrect verifications had a negative impact on the entire procedure, and leading to undesirable and anti-national elements finding their way into the organisatation. The Army should recruit nearly 2000 candidates from the State annually he added.

Karnataka Home Minister M P Prakash said that the state government would extend all cooperation to liaison with the Armed forces in solving the problems like land, rehabilitation of ex-servicemen and war widows.

He sought cooperation of the Armed forces for the city which was becoming a sensitive place in the world due to its advancement in technological developments.

Mr Prakash also dwealt on the security situation in South Asia and on its implications to India.

UNI