Expressing grief over the terror attack on CRPF men in Pulwama, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, here on Friday, recalled the days when he handled the Kashmir issue as Prime Minister.
Speaking at a programme at Beerur near Chananrayapatna, he said that during his 10-month tenure as PM, he visited Jammu and Kashmir ten times. “I visited the State, despite opposition from officers. They suggested I cancel the visits, citing security concerns. I was ready to face any consequence. I also told the officers to send my body to my native place if I was killed there,” he said.
Mr. Deve Gowda said he took many measures to strengthen the armed forces and there were no untoward incidents in the valley then.
Turning towards Karnataka, the former PM said fulfilling the need for water was a challenge considering the disputes involved in sharing the water of Cauvery, Krishna and Mahadayi rivers. “Water is becoming precious,” he said.