We would never hurt people's sentiments: Army

In the backdrop of a fatwa issued by a top Muslim cleric against construction and renovation of Islamic shrines in Jammu and Kashmir, the army on Monday said it would not hurt the sentiments of the people and whatever has been done was done in good faith and on the request of the local people.

"Whatever has been done by the army was in good faith and on the request of local people. We will not undertake anything that will hurt the sentiments of the people," Lt Gen A S Sekhon said.

Sekhon, who is also general officer commanding at Srinagar-based 15th corps, was speaking to reporters after declaring open a cataract cancer detection and blood donation camp under Operation Sadbhavana at Ganderbal near Srinagar on Monday.

"Army is a secular organisation. We have got people from all faiths and have full respect for all faiths," Sekhon said adding, all the work done by the army was at the request of local people.

Asked to comment on the fatwa issued by the Muslim cleric against construction and renovation of Islamic shrines by the army, he said it has never been the army's intention to hurt the sentiments of any community or interfere in the religious affairs of any particular religion in the state.

The cleric Mufti Bashiruddin had issued a fatwa on May 28 asking the army to refrain from interfering in religious places and instead focus on developmental activities.

"We are apolitical and have no hidden agenda," Sekhon asserted. At the same time, Lt Gen A S Sekhon admitted that the army's primary duty is to safeguard borders and ensure security of the people.

On the recent spurt in militant activities, the officer assured that the army was in total control and there was no cause for concern.

"The pattern of incidents in the summer is the same as witnessed last year. We would do our best with the state government and other security agencies to keep the situation under control," he said.

After opening the medical camp, Sekhon said, "Our endeavour is to help the poor people who cannot afford to go outside the state for such operations, which consume heavy amounts." The programme has been launched in collaboration with the state health department.

Sekhon said the popularity of Operation Sadbhavana can be gauged from the fact that requests for executing these projects are pouring in from all sections of the population.

The masses at large, especially in the remote areas, have been immensely benefited by these projects, he added.