J&K ministers were not paid bribes, V K Singh clarifies

NEW DELHI: Facing fire over his statement that ministers in Jammu and Kashmir were given money by the Army, former Army chief Gen V K Singh today sought to do damage control by saying it was not a bribe but aimed at creating goodwill among people.

"I did not commit any mistake. When I had said some politicians were given money, it was not meant for their personal purpose or political purpose. It was not for lining their pockets or for bribe. If somebody says that any minister was given a bribe, it is totally wrong.

"It was meant solely for stability...to win hearts and minds of people, to wean people away from separatist activities under the overall umbrella of sadbhavna (harmony)," he said addressing a press conference at his residence here.

Gen Singh met reporters as his yesterday's remarks came under attack from various quarters including Union Ministers, a former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and the Congress party.

He claimed such activities are carried out by the Army in many areas and are not limited to Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, refused to name anyone.

He said the "leakage" of an army inquiry report on the functioning of the controversial Technical Support Division (TSD) set up by him amounted to treason and rejected the contention that the intelligence unit was his "private army".