'Alarmist' to say army troops moved towards Delhi without informing govt: PM

Visakhapatnam: The Prime Minister today described as "alarmist" a newspaper report that says in January, the Army moved two units towards Delhi in January without informing the government.

"The Defence Ministry has already clarified its position. These are alarmist reports and should not be taken at face value," Dr Manmohan Singh told journalists at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

In Visakhapatnam, where the Russian-built nuclear submarine the INS Chakra was inducted into the navy, Defence Minister AK Antony said the report is "absolutely baseless." He added, "We are absolutely confident about the patriotism of armed forces."

The BJP, meanwhile, slammed the government on the issue. "Relationship between the Army and the political leadership is a matter of concern. But unfortunately, even the Army has become a victim of the failed UPA leadership. This is not in the interest of the nation, the equilibrium between the Army and civilian government must be restored and respected," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said while addressing a press conference today.

"We want the government to be more proactive. Our Prime Minister has spoken a few words today, we hope this matter is resolved amicably," he added.

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According to the newspaper The Indian Express, central intelligence agencies reported that on the night of January 16, there was an unexpected - and non-notified - movement by a key military unit from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar in the direction of the capital. On the same night, the paper reported, another unit - identified as a large element of the 50th Para Brigade based at Agra - had also been moved towards Delhi, which the paper claims caused some concern within the government.

Earlier, Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar had clarified, "The points raised in the report have already been clarified by the Army... such exercises are conducted by the Army from time to time."

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According to the article in the Indian Express, the Army had said that the units were moved to check response time and preparedness during the January fog.