Indian borders safe: P Raju

Hamirpur, Nov 4 : Indian borders are safe from the intruders as the Indian forces were on the guard round-the-clock and no one would be allowed to cause any harm to the country, Union Minister of State for Defence, M M Pallam Raju said here today.

While talking to reporters at Sujanpur Tihra near here this evening, Mr Raju said security agencies were alert and were constantly providing information to the government regarding the activities of the forces of neighboring countries.

Talking about the problem of Naxalism in various states, he said that this was an internal problem and there was no question of the army dealing with this issue as of now.

''The local Police and other Para military forces were authorised to deal with this problem,'' Mr Raju said.

He, however added that if needed, the central government would also help the state governments to deal with this problem.

Mr Raju said that the demand of HP government to have Himachal Regiment for the youth of the hill state was under consideration of the central government.

Replying to a question, he said that the government was also examining a proposal to increase the recruitment quota of Himachal in the Indian forces.

Presently, recruitment is done on basis of population of the state concerned and this has harmed the cause of Himachal Pradesh being one of the smallest states of India.

The minister announced that the government was also planning to open four more Sainik Schools but ruled out opening of such schools for the girls.

Mr Raju was here as chief guest at the function to celebrate 32nd Raising Day of Sainik School, Sujanpur Tihra.

The minister inaugurated the newly constructed ‘Veer Samarak’ in the school complex built by the Old Students Association in the memory of war heroes of the State.

He also laid the foundation stone of much awaited swimming pool of the school to be constructed at a cost of Rs two crore.

Mr Raju later addressed the gathering present and interacted with the students.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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