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Soldiers unhappy over lack of proxy voting rights: Fernandes

A large number of officers and jawans stationed in the Kargil sector are unhappy that they do not have proxy voting rights, according to Defence Minister George Fernandes.

Fernandes, who toured the sector yesterday and met large groups of soldiers in different parts of the area, said he was asked by many of them, especially officers, whether they would get proxy voting rights.

''I told them this was one area where I had not been successful. The men were unhappy that they could not take part in the democratic process. I felt sad,'' the defence minister told newspersons on his way back yesterday.

The bill for proxy voting rights could not be pushed through in Parliament as the Lok Sabha was dissolved. The defence ministry suggested that the matter could be processed for an ordinance but the Election Commission said political parties should take a unanimous decision. Law Minister Ram Jethmalani also took it up but was not successful.

Fernandes said a decision had not yet been taken on whether a separate medal would be given for those who participated in Operation Vijay although a proposal had been mooted by the army.

The army had made a request that the operations in Kargil should not be clubbed with the anti-insurgency Operation Rakshak.

The officers in the Kargil front were of the view that compared to this conflict, the 1971 war was a tame affair.

Fernandes said he was very moved when he visited Tololing and Point 4875 yesterday because these places saw action which was not just protracted but very, very bloody.

''The courage, initiative and commitment of the soldiers who fought there, and in Tiger Hill and all other battle points made me feel very humble,'' the defence minister said.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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