Srinagar, Jan 30: Army on Wednesday said there would be no immunity for those personnel found involved in a heinous crime like rape.
“Rape, whether committed by a civilian or by a soldier, is a big sin. Whenever such an incident takes place (involving a soldier ), we take strong notice and conduct a court martial," General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps, Lt General Om Prakash told reporters in Shopian district of south Kashmir.
“We have not seen the Justice Verma report. We can only comment on it after we go through it,” Prakash said.
The GOC made these remarks while replying to a query on whether the Army would implement the recommendations of the Justice Verma Commission which has sought civil trial of Army personnel involved in offences like rape.
The judicial panel headed by Justice Verma has called for amendment in Section (6) of AFSPA to pave way for prosecution in civil courts of soldiers involved in crimes against women.
Accusing Pakistan for violation of ceasefire on the Line of Control, the Corps Commander said, “Pakistan is always violating the ceasefire at LoC to push militants to this side. We know the intention of Pakistan but our forces are always ready to stop infiltration. We have tightened the security at LoC.”
Gen Prakash said that fencing at the LoC gets buried under snow at some places in winter. “We maintain surveillance along the fence through patrolling, and also with the help of helicopters," he said.
The senior Army General said that peace is prevailing in the valley for last many years and Army-public relation can make it sustainable. “We believe that if the Army and people work together, the peace will continue,” he asserted.
Answering a question about security of Panchayat representatives, Prakash said that Army wants to see these people safe. He said that Panchayat representatives were the representatives of the people and it is the responsibility of everybody including the Army to protect them. “We have and will increase night patrolling in the Valley especially in those areas where militants are still active,” the GOC said.
About the recent attacks on Panchayat representatives in Sopore, he said, “I do not have any specific information about the people involved in these attacks. Yes, state police has said that HM had carried out some attacks.” (With Showkat Dar in Shopian)

Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST