GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

No. IPR (PR)-03/2008                                            Dated Naharlagun the 12th April, 2010

PRESS RELEASE –404

Iron Fist and a Velvet Glove policy in the face the challenges posed by terrorism and insurgency: Gen Singh

Itanagar, April 11: Arunachal Pradesh Governor, Gen J.J. Singh advocated for adopting ‘Iron Fist and a Velvet Glove’ policy in the face the challenges posed by terrorism and insurgency. The Governor, who was at Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Harayana on10th April to deliver a lecture on “Countering Terrorism and Insurgency: An Indian Approach”, said the iron fist denotes a ruthless and ‘no nonsense’ approach while tackling insurgents or terrorists and the velvet glove shows humane approach when dealing with innocent ones. The only way to address terrorism is to deal with issues that create terrorism, to resolve them where possible and where that is not possible, to ensure that there is an alternative to violence, he added, reports PRO to Governor.

             Gen Singh emphasized that there is an imperative need to evolve a comprehensive strategy to strive towards ensuring an internal and external environment conducive for unhindered progress. There is a need to address issues which have political, economic, ethnic and religious dimensions in areas dominated by terrorism and insurgency. A multi-dimensional and multi-pronged strategy at the national and state level has become imperative, he stressed.

On the role of Indian Army in countering insurgency, the former Chief of Indian army said that the Army’s role is to provide security to the population and a secure environment for the administration to be able to provide good governance.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) D.D.S. Sandhu, Vice Chancellor of the Kurukshetra University, while welcoming Gen Singh, lauded his efforts as an Army Officer with forty years of illustrious career and for playing a very vital role in the socio-economic development of Arunachal Pradesh as its Constitutional head.

             During his visit to the University, the Governor toured the university campus and saw the museum, christened 'Darohar' located in the campus. He was very impressed by the methods the traditional items and antiques are being preserved.

            In the sideline of the Lecture, as always, Governor, who have been stressing on exchange programmes with other Universities to improve education in the State, especially in Higher Studies approach for Arunachalee students.  Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Sandhu, while conveying the willingness of the University said, the Kurukshetra University is dear friend of Governor Gen JJ Sibngh and will help Arunachalees for their studies in the institution.

            It may be mentioned here that the Kurukshetra University, in Kurukshatra, Harayana was established in 1956 as a unitary residential University. The foundation stone of the University was laid by late Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.  Located in the holy city of Kurukshetra, the historical battle field of 'Mahabharata,' where the eternal message of Bhagwad Gita was delivered; the University has its campus in the western bank of Brahm Sarover (the holy tank) and extends over an area of over 400 acres.  Starting with only the Department of Sanskrit, it has grown into a multi-faculty University as one of the premier centers for advanced study and research in the region.

Sd/- O. TAYENG, PRO