Army chief Rawat blames Kashmir radicalisation ‘mainly’ on social media

Army chief General Bipin Rawat brushed aside the issue of alleged braid chopping incidents in Jammu and Kashmir as a “routine matter” which the civil administration and the police would deal with.

Army chief general Bipin Rawat said on Saturday that radicalisation in Kashmir was being addressed with a “lot of seriousness”, as he blamed the social media for its rise.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on behalf of the President Ram Nath Kovind presents the 'President's Standard' to 47 Armoured Regiment at the Sunjawan Military Station, in Jammu on Saturday.(PTI Photo)

Rawat, on a day-long visit here, also brushed aside the issue of alleged braid chopping incidents in the state as a “routine matter” which the civil administration and the police would deal with.

“Radicalisation is taking place. It is a worldwide phenomenon that radicalisation is taking place. We are addressing it with a lot of seriousness,” Rawat told reporters here when asked if radicalisation was taking place in the Kashmir Valley.

Rawat, while speaking on the sidelines of a function where he presented President’s Standards to 47 Armoured Regiment, said that the Jammu and Kashmir government, the police, the administration and everybody was concerned about radicalisation.

“We are trying to ensure that people are being weaned away from this kind of radicalisation,” Rawat said.

The Army chief blamed the social media for the radicalisation of the people, particularly the youth in the state.

“It (radicalisation) is happening mainly because of the social media,” he said.

On braid-chopping incidents

Asked about the challenge being faced by the government and the security agencies due to the alleged braid chopping incidents which have triggered violent protests in the state, Rawat said, “Why do you see it as a challenge.”

It has been happening in other parts of the country and now it has started happening in Kashmir as well, the Army chief said.

“We don’t see it as a challenge. It is a routine matter. Civil administration and police is taking action into it and it will be foiled by taking actions,” he said.

Asked if the separatists were taking advantage of this to trigger turmoil in the Valley, he said the role of media was important to uncover the truth behind it.

On NIA raids

Rawat, while replying to a question on whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids were aimed at mellowing down separatists in the Valley and giving a jolt to the stone-pelters, said the central government’s approach was being followed in Kashmir to deal with the situation and the NIA raids were part of that.

“When the whole of the government approach is adopted then every aspect and every machinery of the government is to play a part and whatever success the NIA raids have achieved will emerge in the near future,” he said.

Presents President’s Standard to 47 Armoured Regiment

General Bipin Rawat, on behalf of President Ram Nath Kovind, presented the ‘President’s Standard’ to 47 Armoured Regiment here on Saturday at Sunjuwan military station, which had been attacked by armed terrorists in the past.

“The 47 armoured regiment was raised in Babina in November 1982, which was initially equipped with Russian made T 72 tanks. The Standard is an award for unit heroism and epitomizes the history, undaunting spirit and acts of valour forged in sweat and blood of the Regiment,” said Defence spokesman Colonel NN Joshi.

The standard presentation ceremony showcased a mounted parade by the Regiment on the T-72 Tanks with clockwork precision and immaculate coordination.

The ceremony was attended by many senior serving and retired military officers and civil dignitaries including lieutenant general DR Soni, general officer commanding-in-chief, ARTRAC, lieutenant general Surinder Singh general officer commanding-in-chief, Western Command and lieutenant general D Anbu, general officer commanding-in-chief, Northern Command.