Army to help Gujjars become soldiers

Efforts will be made to help youths from the tribal Gujjar community in Jammu and Kashmir to become soldiers, a senior Indian Army commander said on Wednesday.

Defence ministry spokesman Colonel Manish Mehta said this to IANS after Lt. General K.J. Singh, the GOC-in-Chief of the Western Command, reviewed the overall security in Jammu sector and met members of the Gujjar community.

"The army commander promised that efforts will be made to train boys from the Gujjar community so as to prepare them for recruitment in the Indian Army," the spokesman said.

The commander also promised to help provide education to young Gujjars. He said a recruitment rally to join the army would be held in Kathua and Samba districts.

"He said the army was acting as an important interface between the Gujjars and civil administration in Jammu region," Col. Mehta said.

The commander distributed books and stationery to Gujjar students.