Jammu: Aiming to strengthen its ties with
public after the Surakote fake encounter episode, the Army is
hosting iftaar parties for locals in remote areas of Jammu's
Rajouri and Poonch districts.
"We have already hosted eight iftaar parties for locals
in many areas in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch with
an aim to reach out to people and gain their faith and
confidence in armed forces," Major Ajay Tiwari, an officer of
counter-insurgency 'Romeo Force', said.
Locals in large number participated in these parties, he
said.
The faith of locals in army had suffered a setback after
the August 7 fake encounter in Poonch's Surakote belt in which
a special police officer and a territorial army jawan killed a
civilian.
The army had yesterday organised an iftaar party in Potha
village, few kilometres away from the fake encounter site.
"This will help clear the misconception about the Army
post-Surankote incident. Army is for people and their
safety...the party will help us to connect with people and
develop an environment of trust and friendship," Tiwari said.
PTI
First Published: Friday, August 26, 2011, 19:28