Setback for ex-servicemen guarding Lumbini Park

Eight years since the twin blasts at Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat on August 25, 2007, which had killed 42 people and injured 54, trauma continues for ex-personnel of the Buddha Poornima Project (BPP) whose life will be affected by the recent High Court order.

This week, Justice Reddy Kantha Rao passed a judgment in favour of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), stating it is their discretion to remove or retain the existing servicemen.

Speaking to The Hans India on Friday, Chief Security Officer T Vishnu Vardhan Reddy said, “Now, 23 ex-servicemen are likely to be removed by the HMDA authorities as per the directions of the court. We will lose our jobs and would be thrown on the streets.” He said they are waiting for the judgment of the second bench, hoping it might be in their favour.

The ex-servicemen met home minister Naini Narasimha Reddy along with Manohar Reddy, president of the Telangana ex-servicemen association, who promised to discuss the issue with Chief Minster K Chandrasekhar Rao in this regard.

In November 2013, the HMDA authorities had issued a circular retrenching the ex-servicemen in view of the financial burden of their salaries.

The move was met with hard rebellion where the personnel had approached the then director of State Sainik Welfare Board and had also filed a case in the High Court for continuation of their employment, citing they are soldiers and military personnel who have served in wars for our country.

The Hans India had carried a story dated November 19, 2013, titled, ‘HMDA, BPP, move to change of guard at major parks’. Subsequently an interim stay had been granted on the orders of HMDA.

Stay updated on the go with The Hans India News App. Click the icons to download it for your device.