India to encourage tourists visiting Siachen: Army Chief

Kolkata, Sep 21 (UNI) India would encourage tourists visiting the Siachen glacier and would not reverse it under any threat from a neighbouring country, Chief of Army Staff General J J Singh said here today.

''Tourists are visiting Siachen because of its natural beauties and the process is entirely peaceful and hence it cannot be disputed by a neighbouring country,'' the Army Chief said without naming Pakistan.

General Singh made this observation while talking to mediapersons here during his farewell visit to Eastern Command HQs.

''India is committed to peace and prosperity and will encourage all peaceful activities on its soil and the growing number of tourists visiting Siachen is not an exception,'' he observed.

He said the challenge of terrorism has to be met as it has become a global menace and was coming in the way of maintaining peace worldwide.

Referring to alleged abettment of militancy from across the Indo-Bangla border, General Singh said, ''We are mobilising the people along the bordering areas and are ready to face any challenge in this regard.'' UNI ADG PL VD DS1615