The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Bipin Rawat has said that the Indian and Chinese armies have good coordination and understanding. He was talking to the mediapersons at Indian Military Academy (IMA) on Saturday.
The Army Chief played down the recent alleged helicopter intrusion by Chinese army in Chamoli district as he termed them as difference in perception of border by the forces of the two countries.
He said local coordination between the forces of two countries guarding the Border is good. The COAS said that the militants are making use of internet and social networking sites to misguide the youth of Kashmir. He highlighted the need of adopting latest technology by armed forces to counter militants and said that army is trying to track militants without bothering the general public in Kashmir. General Rawat clarified that objective of army is to restore peace and normalcy in Kashmir. On the question of combat roles for women in army, General Rawat said that with proper training it is possible.
He said that the army is planning to induct female soldiers in Military Police as it has been seen that in many cases the armed forces have to deal with female protestors where the army had to take help of local police to provide female constables. The Army Chief said that army is planning to reduce the minimum height criteria for natives of Garhwal and Kumaon. It is pertinent to mention here that the minimum height criteria was revised few years ago resulting in less recruitment of youths in the army.
Earlier the minimum required height for the residents of Garhwal and Kumaon was 157 cm which is now raised to 162 cm. General Rawat said that talks are going on the Government of Uttarakhand on the issue of handing over of the operation of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Medical College Srinagar to army.
