OROP: Army veteran, 82, manhandled on Independence Day eve

Go back Rahul, say ex-Servicemen at Jantar Mantar

New Delhi: Agitating ex-servicemen demanding implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) were on Friday allegedly manhandled by the police as it tried to evict them from protest hotspot Jantar Mantar here ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on the ground of security.

Terming the police action as "barbaric" and "undemocratic", the ex-servicemen, who have been on protest for nearly two-months, wondered how can they be "security threat" when they dedicated their lives protecting the country while in service.

82-year-old Army veteran Grenadier Bhishambar Singh was ‘beaten up’ by police.

"How can you doubt our integrity? Or consider us a security threat? We served the country in protecting it and now we have become security threat," said a protesting army veteran.

It will be a "black Independence Day as they as they have tried to curb our independence," said group captain V K Gandhi (retired), adding, "The way the police have acted against us just a day before Independence day it is totally unjustified."

The police said they tried to evict protestors from various outfits from Jantar Mantar in the heart of the capital following a request by civic agency New Delhi Municipal Council.

As the police and NDMC started clearing the protest hotspot, the ex-servicemen refused to go away. "I was pushed by the cops who even tore my shirt," said 82-year-old Vishambhar raising anti-police slogans.

The ex-servicemen requested Police Commissioner B S Bassi to restore their tents.

"This is shocking and obnoxious. Nothing can be worse. We are the protectors of India's Independence. We are requesting the Police Commissioner to restore our tents since we had permission. The move to remove our tents is barbaric, undemocratic and dictatorial as it comes on the eve of Independence Day," Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, Chairman of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement, told PTI.

A senior police officer said, "As Delhi is on a high alert ahead of Independence Day so we are removing the protestors to ensure security." The ex-servicemen later announced that Union Minister V K Singh has conveyed to them that Home Minister Rajnath Singh was informed about the incident and he has instructed the Delhi Police Commissioner to allow them to continue their agitation.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also criticized their eviction and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept on Independence Day Saturday their demand for OROP. Congress vice- resident Rahul Gandhi greeted with protests from ex-servicemen who tell him, 'Waapis Jao'. Rahul who arrived at the venue at 2 pm, said the PM should give a date as to when he can bring in OROP, so that the protests can end. He said they should not be removed since they're protesting for their right.

Currently, their pension is based on the Pay Commission recommendations at the time they retire. A Major General who retired in 1996 would draw less pension than his junior who retired years later. The implementation of OROP will cost the government an estimated Rs. 8,300 crore annually. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said: The assurances given by the government will be fulfilled, but there are technical difficulties.

"How can you doubt our integrity? you consider us a security threat? We served the country in protecting it and now we have become security threat," said a protesting army veteran. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the Central government may soon make an announcement on OROP. However, he did not divulge any further details, saying the issue should be left in Jaipur only. Meanwhile, General VP Malik, the Army Chief, who led India to victory during the Kargil War, was the Prime Minister's personal choice for mediating back-channel talks between the government and military . Sources say General Malik was initially reluctant to be drawn into the negotiations, but was prevailed upon by the Prime Minister's Office and senior retired Generals. The secret talks hit a wall within 48 hours. General Malik, according to sources, threw his hands up and extricated himself from the role of mediator because the gap between the two sides was far too wide.