Thursday, December 9, 2010

BSF tones down drill at Wagah; Rangers yet to respond

From The Indian ExpressDharmendra RataulThu Dec 09 2010Attari Border:India's decision to tone down the “aggressive posturing” that is part of the daily Retreat Ceremony at Wagah has elicited no response from Pakistan.
Pakistan Rangers had reportedly agreed to tone down the aggression during their last joint border meeting with the BSF in September, but have so far shown no inclination to do so.
“They promised to tone down the aggressive posturing but unfortunately have now retracted... and we do not know why,” said IG BSF Himmat Singh Gill.
The BSF, however, was committed to continue with the “softened drill”.”There were numerous representations that the drill should be softened... unnecessary aggression was giving a bad taste to the drill,” Gill said, “We did so, but Pakistan is not responding well. It is up to them but we will continue with softening of the gestures.”
The “aggressive posturing” in the Retreat Ceremony includes thumping of boots with full force,stomping on ground and making “offending gestures” of folding arms and tuning of moustache, and even staring. For now, the BSF has only slowed down thumping of boots. The other gestures continue as earlier.

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