Gen. KV Krishna Rao — a journey from a village in Srikakulam (Andhra) to serving the nation
General Kotikalapudi Venkata Krishna Rao, an inspiring life started at a small village in Andhra Pradesh, raised to the one that served independent India during most of the military conflicts and difficult phases of insurgencies, breathed his last on 30 January, 2016 . Born to K.S. Narayan Rao and Lakshmi Rao, his family hails from Lukulam, a small village in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Post-retirement, he served as the Governor of Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, and Jammu & Kashmir. During his Governorship in Jammu & Kashmir between 1993 and 1997, he quelled the Pakistan’s proxy war (through the militancy) in the valley, restored normalcy in the valley, held elections and ensured that the elected government took over (in 1996) for the first time after 7 years of President’s rule.
The situations started turning around during the summer of 1993 with the appointment of General Krishna Rao as Governor. He outlined more comprehensive policy in four major fields of: militancy; revamping of administration; revival of political activity; and dealing with alienation of people. The anti-militancy drive centred around the formulation of a unified concept at state and field level to plan, co-ordinate and execute counter-insurgency operations, establishment of counter-insurgency grid, strengthening and better management of LC, improvement of intelligence and rebuilding of Police Force.
Among the many — his notable achievements are
- first, he crafted a forward policy against China,
- second, he drafted the first formal directive for the armed forces,
- third, during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, his division was credited for liberating the Sylhet area and the north-east Bangladesh, and
- fourth, he played a critical role in changing the perception of the Americans on the issue of Kashmir.
Some of the important quotes from his interviews and works are
It is in our national interest to demolish the logic of the two-nation theory. We accepted it at the time of Partition, but we no longer believe in it. Our enemy — the people who hurt us — is Pakistan. Pakistan says Kashmir is the core issue. They have instigated some frustrated people to indulge in militancy. They claim Kashmir on the basis of the two-nation theory. This theory was demolished in 1971 when half of Pakistan seceded from Pakistan.
On whether Kashmiris would side with Pakistan
They give the argument that since Kashmiris are Muslims they should be with Pakistan. But Kashmiris don’t want to go to Pakistan. Kashmiris will only vote for a traditional party, not a fundamentalist party. Kashmiris cannot be fundamentalists. It is the foreign elements in Kashmir that are creating trouble.
On the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and the area lost to China in 1962 war
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir belongs to us, but we won’t go to war, we will take it [PoK] back by peaceful means. That’s what the Parliament resolution says. The same applies to China. I am not advocating war. But why should we give it up?
He dismissed the idea that Pakistan would use nuclear weapons
The point is whether Pakistan will use its weapons. Initially they were talking very loosely and irresponsibly about Kashmir being a nuclear flash point. And they were talking of integrating nuclear weapons as part of their strategy. They will have to think 100 times before using a nuclear weapon. If there is a war, it would largely remain conventional. But when they see that their country is being disintegrated, they may think of using it.
The capture of Bhindranwale … was a task well within the capability of the police and paramilitary forces; Army involvement in such tasks should be avoided.
