Army's "Operation Aman" pays dividends
AHMEDABAD: No sooner did the men in green
fatigues land on Gujarat's soil, communal violence receded instantly and
confidence was instilled among peace lovers across the state.
Army troops that were airlifted and deployed under 'Operation Aman' from
neighbouring Rajasthan and other centres to assist civil administration in
many riot-ravaged areas on March 1, brought back peace in the state
immediately on their arrival.
The western region defence spokesman Major Thomas Xavier said the Army
deployed 26 columns in the entire state, consisting of approximately 120
troops with necessary weapons, equipment, transport and communication
facilities. Ahmedabad, which was shaken due to uninterrupted violence for
two consecutive days, was given 12 columns, Surat (3), Vadodara (2),
Rajkot (2) and one each were deployed at Bhavnagar, Santrampur, Lunavada,
Godhra, Ghoghanba and Halol.
"Since troops were deployed at riot-affected areas, no incidents of
violence was reported," says the spokesperson.
Besides help from civil administration, the Air Force was pressed into
service to airlift the troops to riot-affected areas to contain the
violence. As many as 52 sorties of transport aircraft were carried out for
airlifting of troops, stores and equipment across the state.
"Army is committed to its role of assisting civil administration in
maintaining peace," adds Xavier, who had specially come over to Gujarat in
the wake deployment of troops for peace mission. |
