J&K Governor NN Vohra asks troops to ‘remain alert’

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra Tuesday said that the state has been in “turmoil” for past several decades and asked the troops to “remain alert”. The Governor told Army personnel at a function of Raj Sainik Board in Jammu, “Jammu and Kashmir for past several decades has been in turmoil. There have been instances of cross border firing, encounter and gun-battle. We have to be alert”. Asking people to remember men in uniform on Army forces day, he said, “It is our duty that we respect the men in uniform and pay tribute and homage to our martyrs.”

“We are losing young soldiers in the age group of 20 to 21 and officers in the age group of 23 to 24 in Jammu and Kashmir. Every next day we have to carry a coffin,” he said. The nation should remember army forces, say thanks and express gratitude to all those who laid down their lives in defence of the country, he said, adding it was for this aim, that army forces day is celebrated on December 7.

Vohra said that the government should take a call to provide monetary assistance to widows of army men who are not entitled widow pension. “We will take up the issue with the government so that some step is taken at J&K level in this regard,” he said. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board will also take some steps for these widows and we will discuss the issues in this regard, he said.