‘Belong to family of soldiers, personally indebted to Army’

JAMMU: Facing criticism in wake of controversial Nagrota land deal, senior BJP leader and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Dr Nirmal Singh today clarified that his ‘remarks were twisted by a section of media to cause a deliberate wedge between the Army and the nationalist forces’.

Singh, who stepped down as Deputy Chief Minister to take the position of Speaker in May 30 reshuffle, said he has a family history of serving in the Army and is personally indebted to the Army for creating an atmosphere in which one is able to pursue politics without fear.

Nirmal Singh said his remarks about a particular incident were twisted and misquoted by a section of media with deliberate intention of creating a divide between the Army and nationalist forces and also to malign the image of BJP which is in power for the first time in the Jammu and Kashmir.

“I come from a Dogra family whose generations have served the army and nation. I can’t even think of speaking against the Army, which is one of the finest institutions of the country with an unparallel history of sacrifices,” said Dr Nirmal Singh. My father was in Maharaja's Army and my brother in law was martyred in an anti terrorism operation, Dr Singh added.

Dr Nirmal Singh said as a deputy chief minister of the State for three years he always supported counter-insurgency operations carried out by the army in the state.

“Army has done commendable job in bringing peace in the Valley at a great cost. Its services to the state can never be forgotten. In fact the state and more so the political class is indebted to the army as it’s because of it the political class can move freely even in Kashmir. As a true Indian I am personally indebted to the army, so how can I utter even a single word against this great institution,” said Dr Nirmal Singh,

Dr Nirmal Singh said he is proud supporter of the army and an equally proud leader of the BJP and there can’t be any dilution of this fact.