Srinagar: Indian Army is steadfast in the service of the nation and ready to face any challenges along the Line of Control (LOC), said Brigadier Vinad Negi, Commander 53 Infantry Brigade.
In an exclusive conversation with news agency Kashmir News Bureau, Brig Vinod Negi said that the situation in Machil Sector of north Kashmir Kupwara district has been peaceful since the abrogation of Article 370.
“A lot of development has taken place here and people have faith in the Union Territory Government,” he said and added, “But still more needs to be done here.”
Talking about the National Cadet Corps (NCC) training programme organized recently in the sector, Brig Negi said that people in Machil are not properly aware about the basic things and the step was taken to enlighten them.
“Machil is close to LOC and quite far from the main valley. People here are not properly aware about the basic things,” he said.
“Our aim to bring NCC here was to make the youth aware about their importance in national building,” said Brig Negi, adding that the purpose was to empower and encourage them.
It was the first time ever a NCC camp was organized in the North-West part of Kupwara’s Machil sector in which 68 Senior Division Cadets from different areas of north Kashmir and 75 local youth participated.
Brig Vinod Negi told KNB, “It was the first time ever a NCC camp was organized in Machil. 68 Senior Division Cadets came from north Kashmir’s Sopore, Langate, Handwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara and Tangdar. They stayed here for Seven days.”
From Machil, 75 local children as day-boarders participated in the camp, Brig Negi said, “For the first time ever, girls also attended the programme.”
He said that due to this initiative the children got good exposure and were very happy and enthusiastic.
Brig Negi further assured that the children will be taken to participate in other camps organized throughout the valley in future.
“Overall for the development of youth, children, it was a great initiative and personally, we are really happy about it,” he added.
Moreover, regarding the situation along the LOC and areas bounded by it after the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, Big Negi said, “This particular understanding between the two nations is still holding [up] and right now there are no violations from either side.”
“It remains invoked,” he added.
Further about the security challenges in Kashmir Valley after the Taliban take over of Afghanistan, Brigadier Vinad Negi assured, “Indian army is completely ready on the borders. We are ready to face any kind of challenges”
“The army soldiers are steadfast in the service of the nation,” he emphasized.
Brig Vinod Negi while talking about the hardships and People-Forces relationship in the sector, said, “This being a border area with tough terrain at a high altitude, there are a lot of climatic difficulties.”
He said that the local population has a ‘live and die together’ kind of relationship with the Army and both are dependent on each other.
As per the Brigadier, Army buys material and other stuff from the locals only and also provides porter jobs to them. “This helps in their economic development as well as their support to the Army continues,” said Vinod Negi.
“Locals are totally in sync with the Army and we help each other through all the difficult times,” he said, further emphasizing, “We live together in absolute peace and harmony. I think that’s the best part of this entire area.”
Furthermore, Brigadier Vinad Negi, Commander 53 Infantry Brigade in a message to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir said, “Youth is the future of the country. They should study well; educate themselves to serve society.”
He said that the young ones should listen to their parents and respect their elders. “Most importantly, youth should take up social causes of environment, drug de-addiction etc. and positively contribute towards the development of the society,” he emphasized.