Row over age could have been avoided, says Singh

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Chief of Army Staff General V.K. Singh has said that, on introspection, he feels the controversy over his age could have been avoided. When asked who he meant, the General replied, “everybody.”

General Singh, on a visit here, was asked by media personnel whether he felt sorry, sad or angry over the age row, as he would be retiring from service on May 31; prompting the reply.

He faced the media at a function at which a book commissioned by the Army, ‘North East Trilogy,’ was released at the Pangode Military Camp in the capital.

General Singh, known to be an upright official, said corruption had always been a major issue and the people were fighting it everywhere including the defence sector.

“(We believe in) transparency and probity, and in ensuring that the middlemen’s wrong practices are checked. Whatever is found, the Army takes action against it. We ensure action through rectification”, averred General Singh.

On the security in the North Eastern states, General Singh said it was as safe as any other state.

However, in Assam, the army made sure to restore peace by negotiating with two groups of the ULFA there.

Likewise, there’s some sort of cessation with the government by the Naga rebels in Nagaland. “We are trying hard to combat the comparatively violent profile in Manipur.”

“There’s a law and order issue in Tripura”, said the General, adding Mizoram and Meghalaya “are very peaceful, except for the violence from one group” in Megahlaya.

On the tensions on the India-China border issue, General Singh said the issue remained unsettled, but the army was prepared to face any eventualities.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy released the ‘North East Trilogy’ written by Dipti Bhalla and Kunal Verma.