Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 21
Emotions ran high at the NAPTC Complex Chumukedima Saturday as frustrated ‘jawans’ of the 10th (NAP) IR Battalion let loose pent up anger over their superiors. It was not a case of renegade soldiers going on the rampage but a protest over alleged apathy on the part of the state police higher ups towards the battalion’s ‘jawans’, who are bound for ‘naxal’ infested Midnapore district of West Bengal. The unit will be deployed there for atleast two years.
The protest, which almost turned violent, was over a number of demands put forth by the ‘jawans’ to their superiors. Chief among them were: Proper transport amenities, replacing unusable age-old weaponry, ‘under strength deployment’ and prior assurance of ex-gratia and other allowances. An ‘advance party’ of the unit from their headquarters at Zhadima was supposed to leave for West Bengal by road Friday night, August 20 after a stopover at the NAPTC. However, problems arose during the stoppage as the personnel realized that they were not provided enough transport vehicles to take them on the long trip to their place of deployment.
Frustrated they laid down arms and deposited it to their superiors in the morning today. The ‘jawans’ making known their displeasure to the media at the NAPTC Saturday, August 21 revealed that they had to travel till Chumukedima from their headquarters on cramped buses with little room for comfort. On top of that the convoy of trucks and buses carrying around 225 personnel (including junior administrative staff) with arms, ration and other equipments suffered several tyre punctures along the way. The transport arranged for them were not enough to carry so many men on a long haul, ‘jawans’ said. Moreover, the vehicles were short on spare tyres and tools kits for repairs and importantly – no support drivers for any of the vehicles.
Furthermore, the ‘jawans’ alleged that they are under strength in terms of personnel and short of weapons. Two companies of the battalion are making the ‘advance trip’. Some of the weapons provided were also defective.
‘One two-inch mortar without firing pin, magazines that does not fit on the rifles, old and rusty ammunitions’, the ‘jawans’ alleged, was the condition of their weaponry. Being deployed on active duty, the ‘jawans’ said atleast three LMGs must be provided per company whereas the two companies were given four. A company is supposed to have as many mortars, the ‘jawans’ said.
Coming to the ex-gratia and other allowances, the ‘jawans’ were demanding written assurance from the higher ups on the spot. They said that they will not leave until and unless their demands are met immediately, which must come from the highest authority. They were also short of platoon commanders, most of whom were in the rank of ‘havildars’. Platoon commanders according to the norms must be in the rank of an ABSI, the ‘jawans’ said.
With no news about any possible arrival of either the DGP or the home Minister soon as demanded by them, the frustrated ‘jawans’ set afire their rations. “We are ready to leave if our demands are met on the spot”, said a rather frustrated ‘jawan’. “We do all the work while the officers earn all the name and honour”, jibed another.
“With these kind of equipment, it’s like they are telling us to go and die”, was the bitter assumption of yet another.
Finally at around 4:20 pm the Director General of Police K. Kire arrived at the scene accompanied by ADG (Ops) SN Achumi to defuse the almost out of control situation. Holding a public ‘durbar, the ‘jawans’ let known their anger and frustration in person to the DGP and the other officers. The DGP assured that they will be provided five more buses and two trucks, weapons which were unusable will be replaced by Sunday morning and the convoy will leave immediately thereafter. Their apprehension on the ex-gratia and allowances, the DGP said will be seriously looked into. The DGP assured that whatever allowances they are entitled to receive from the state government, the ‘jawans’ will get. The DGP added that instructors with expertise on usage of mortars and grenade launchers will be send to the place of deployment.
Later replying to queries from the media persons, the DGP owning moral responsibility for the day’s confrontation surmised the unwanted situation was created by ‘elements’ not ready for active deployment far from home. “It’s really bad”, the DGP remarked on the day’s incident adding it reflects negative image on the state police set-up. The DGP said that study must be done so that such incidents do not occur in future.
On the defective arms and ammunitions, the DGP said that the PHQ issue it to the respective battalions who in turn provide to the personnel. “They must take care of it properly”, he said. Further, he held that report should have been given on the defective arms, if at all they were so, long time back. He however, admitted that the unit was short of platoon commanders.
