Delhi ACB chief MK Meena with ex-servicemen during their protest over the delay in implementation of One Rank, One Pension (OROP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI photo)
New Delhi:
The Delhi Police today apologised for its action against protesting ex-servicemen at Delhi's Jantar Mantar last week, while attempting to evict protesters from the area before Independence Day.
"Our intention was not to hurt you on August 14, security concerns due to Independence Day had bothered us. You can continue your protests, our force will protect you," a senior police officer in uniform told the ex-servicemen, who have been protesting for over two months at the site over the delay in implementing One Rank One Pension or OROP.
The protest has escalated now into a hunger strike by three Army veterans after OROP did not feature in the Prime Minister's list of announcements on Independence Day. While Col Pushpendra Singh (retd) of the 3 Grenadiers and Havaldar Major Singh of the 3rd Sikh Regiment began what they are calling a "fast unto death" on Monday, Havaldar Ashok Kumar Chouhan (retd) of the Signal Regiment joined this morning.
They have so far not heeded several requests to reconsider their decision, including one reportedly by the Prime Minister's Office today. Col Anil Koul (retd), a decorated ex-serviceman now on protest, said PMO officials had asked the veterans to call off their hunger strike and give them 10 days to resolve sticking points that are keeping OROP from being implemented.
The protesters say five more ex-servicemen could join the hunger strike if OROP is not announced soon.
Ten former service chiefs have also written to Prime Minister Modi expressing "dismay" over the government's handling of OROP. Urging the government to "settle this issue expeditiously and in an urgent time frame," they also slammed the police action against the protesters as unacceptable and had demanded action against the erring policemen.
OROP is expected to benefit more than three million retired servicemen. It will give equal pension to servicemen retiring at the same rank regardless of when they retire. At present, a soldier who retired many years ago is paid far less than someone several ranks junior to him retiring now.
"Our intention was not to hurt you on August 14, security concerns due to Independence Day had bothered us. You can continue your protests, our force will protect you," a senior police officer in uniform told the ex-servicemen, who have been protesting for over two months at the site over the delay in implementing One Rank One Pension or OROP.
The protest has escalated now into a hunger strike by three Army veterans after OROP did not feature in the Prime Minister's list of announcements on Independence Day. While Col Pushpendra Singh (retd) of the 3 Grenadiers and Havaldar Major Singh of the 3rd Sikh Regiment began what they are calling a "fast unto death" on Monday, Havaldar Ashok Kumar Chouhan (retd) of the Signal Regiment joined this morning.
They have so far not heeded several requests to reconsider their decision, including one reportedly by the Prime Minister's Office today. Col Anil Koul (retd), a decorated ex-serviceman now on protest, said PMO officials had asked the veterans to call off their hunger strike and give them 10 days to resolve sticking points that are keeping OROP from being implemented.
The protesters say five more ex-servicemen could join the hunger strike if OROP is not announced soon.
Ten former service chiefs have also written to Prime Minister Modi expressing "dismay" over the government's handling of OROP. Urging the government to "settle this issue expeditiously and in an urgent time frame," they also slammed the police action against the protesters as unacceptable and had demanded action against the erring policemen.
OROP is expected to benefit more than three million retired servicemen. It will give equal pension to servicemen retiring at the same rank regardless of when they retire. At present, a soldier who retired many years ago is paid far less than someone several ranks junior to him retiring now.
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