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MOD PANEL’S RECOMMENDATIONS Parrikar for action-taken report by Feb 15
Vijay Mohan,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, February 1
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has directed all wings of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) by February 15 on the steps or initiatives taken by them on the recommendations of a committee of experts constituted to help improve service conditions of armed forces personnel.The directions were issued a few days ago, sources in the MoD said. The 5-member committee had presented its report to Parrikar on November 24 last.The 509-page report contains as many as 75 recommendations that touch upon various aspects of pension and service matters, discipline and vigilance, promotion issues, military justice reform, issues concerning civil employees and areas of potential disputes and litigation.The committee was constituted on the directions of the defence minister and was claimed to be the first ever exercise aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms related to grievance redressal. It explores upon administrative, legal, psychological and even social aspects of military life.Prominent among the committee’s recommendations is greater personal interaction and opportunity of hearing in the system of formal complaints and petitions so as to give a better role to human interaction rather than the one-way noting sheet method and to assist in providing outlet and catharsis to individuals related to their grievances.An innovative aspect propagated greater constructive usage of social media, including initiation of blogs by senior commanders, to promote an interactive process with the rank and file. A face-to-face ‘collegiate’ system of decision-making in various aspects rather than the file circulation method as been suggested along with more transparency in matters related to promotions and confidential reports.Recommendations on military justice reform include steps that can be taken without any legislative change such as introduction of permanent infrastructure for Courts Martial at specified stations to reduce ad hocism and reduction of command influence.
Civil Military Conference soon
Tribune News Service,Dehradun, January 15
The much-awaited Civil Military Laisioning Conference will take place in Uttarakhand shortly.Talking to mediapersons in Dehradun on occasion of Army Day today, Uttarakhand sub area General Officer Commanding (GOC) Maj Gen Shammi Sabharwal said the laisioning conference, which holds key importance from both civil and military point of view, was expected to be held in the state shortly.The conference was an important platform to address various issues that affected the general public. The last Civil Military Laisioning Conference had taken place in 2012, he stated.Referring to Army Day, Maj Gen Sabharwal said army personnel of Uttarakhand sub area had re-dedicated themselves for the betterment of the nation as part of Army Day observation.Army Day symbolises tributes to valiant soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the nation, he added. Several senior Uttarakhand sub area Army officials were present on the occasion.
Tributes paid to martyrs on Army Day
Tribune News Service,Dehradun, January 15
Golden Key Division paid rich tributes to martyrs on the occasion of 68th Army Day here today. Brigadier Paritosh Pant, Deputy GOC, Golden Key Division, laid a wreath at the Golden Key War Memorial on behalf of the division.He complimented all ranks of the division who had dedicated their lives to the service of the nation. Remembering the martyrs, he said their sacrifices would never be forgotten.Army Day is celebrated on January 15 in the remembrance of late Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army who took charge from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander, in 1949.Golden Key Division has a glorious history of valour and sacrifice which was displayed not only during World Wars but also with acts of bravery and unswerving sense of duty during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Army Day celebrated at Chetak Corps
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, January 15
Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa’s taking over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of our Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief, on January 15, 1949.This year Chetak Corps organised a series of events to commemorate this auspicious day. The day started with paying respect to the courageous and brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while defending the country, by a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial ‘Yodha Yaadgar’ by Lieutenant General DR Soni, General Officer Commanding, Chetak Corps.Later, to honour the contribution of our veterans, war widows and veer naris a function was organised at Bathinda Military Station. Lieutenant General DR Soni, General Officer Commanding Chetak Corps, the chief host of the function welcomed all veterans, war widows and veer naris.During the interaction he reiterated that the Indian Army has always been committed to the well being of the veterans, widows and their dependents. Rendering care and compassion to the retired fraternity is an important part of the Army life.Apart from resolving pension related problems and resettlement issues, canteen service outlet, bank counters, ‘grievances cell’ were also established to address the problems of ex-servicemen, veer naris and war widows.Suman Soni, zonal president, AWWA, Chetak Corps felicitated and interacted with the veer naris and thanked them for their presence and assured them of all assistance.The veer naris, war widows and veterans thanked and extended their gratitude to the Chetak Corps for the concerted effort in organising the event and for looking after them.
An evening with Army veterans
Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 15
As patriotic music played in the background, and servers dressed up in fauji colours carrying trays of piping hot eatables, some seniors got to know each other over a cup of coffee.In a first-of-its-kind initiative, ex-Army officers with their spouses enjoyed an evening filled with music and fun outside their own set up. The occasion was Army Day, which was celebrated at a local hotel to honour the Army veterans.“I retired in 1987 and its for the first time that I am invited and honoured at a civilian gathering,” said Col Gurpreet Inder Sidhu (retd). With his wife Manjit Sidhu, he enjoyed the attention showered on them as they merrily walked the ramp. Col Gursewak Singh (retd) made an impressive picture with some 14 stars and medals shining on his chest. Enthusiastically he pointed out that the stars were for having fought the wars and rendering a fine service.He introduced his wife Bhupinder, who at one point of time during the Operation Prakram had six relatives on the border. “My husband, son, son-in-law, two brothers and a nephew were on the duty,” she said. Did it scare her? “No,” comes an emphatic reply.“In the Army, we are a unit, a family. Senior most officer’s wife would take us all in her cover. We would eat, play cards and even watch news together,” she smiled.In the company were AVSM Brig BJS Oberoi (retd) with his wife Rupinder, Brig Subhash Khullar (retd) with wife Kamal and Maj SS Parwana (retd) with his wife Simarjit. Remembering the wars with a sense of pride was the highlight of the evening and the couples enjoyed karaoke and danced on old numbers like “Awara Hoon”.Kamal Khullar, a proud wife, said, “My husband was a para commando. He would go for the jump and trust me I was scared at the slightest sound when he was at practice but then there comes the honour of being in the Army family.”“The idea behind the programme was to show gratitude towards the armymen who faced all kind of challenges so that we could enjoy a peaceful life,” said Deepak Gupta, organiser of the event.
Army Day celebrated by Vajra Corps
Tribune News Service,Jalandhar, January 15
The Vajra Corps headquarters, Jalandhar, today celebrated the Army Day with a wreath-laying ceremony.The Army Day is celebrated on January 15th every year, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander- in-Chief of the Indian Army of Independent India, on 15 January 1949. The Indian Army marks this day to pay homage and salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our country.As a mark of respect to the martyrs, a solemn wreath laying ceremony with appropriate military decorum was held at “Vajra Shaurya Sthal”. The Wreath was laid by Lieutenant General JS Cheema, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, followed by a large number of senior officers and Subedar Majors of the units. The event was attended by a large number of servicemen.As many as 250 NCC cadets and 20 students of Sainik School, Kapurthala were special invitees to the event.
500 woman constables join ITBP
Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 15
As many as 23 widows of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, who died in harness, were among 500 woman constables inducted into the force today. This is the largest batch of women constables to pass-out since women were allowed to join the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) a few years ago.While the Ministry of Home Affairs has a long standing policy to provide employment in the CAPFs on compassionate grounds to widows, they were earlier recruited for ministerial posts. Induction as constables in the CAPFs, other than the Central Reserve Police Force, which has special women’s battalions, is a recent development.ITBP officers said though relaxation in some rules like age limit was granted, the minimum educational and physical standards had to be met by them for induction as constables. Among them was a woman who had a young child and special arrangements were made for the child to stay at the basic training centre (BTC) here, the alma mater of all ITBP recruits.There have been instances of widows being recruited as constables in other CAPFs like the Border Security Force. Many of the new inductees are well educated. Though minimum qualification for induction as contables is Class X pass, 40 of them hold masters degree in commerce, education, science and arts. Only five per cent of the total number had the minimum educational qualification. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pardesh and Bihar had the highest contribution of recruits in the batch.The Director General ITBP, Krishna Chaudhary, reviewed the passing-out parade and gave away prizes for outstanding performance during the training. These included Shuhani Kunda (best in physical), Manshi (best in dirll), Gita Chaudhary (best in weapon handling), Shama (best in sports) and Deepika Tyagi (over all best trainee).The Deputy Inspector General, BTC, PS Papta, said the recruits had undergone a 44-week intensive training programme that included all aspects of service orientation and physical fitness.
Hooda’s pampered Rohtak stands ravaged
DAMAGE
Protesters either robbed or set ablaze car showrooms, shops, restaurants, hotels and hospitals in Rohtak town
Hardik Anand
MANOJ DHAKA/HTThe damaged cars after a showroom was set ablaze by protesters in Rohtak on Monday.ROHTAK: The pampered town of for mer chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is now in a state of complete mess, after many people allegedly set the city’s major buildings on fire on Sunday, causing a huge setback to the well-developed city.
The model town area, which used to be the shopping hub of the city and used to be house glossy showrooms and stores, now looks black after most showrooms were burnt.
At least 30 stores, including electronic stores, bookstores, garment units, restaurants, were burnt.
Two stores of Rohtak’s signature sweet shop Gulab Rewri were burnt. The agitators also reportedly burnt two private hospitals.
Besides restaurants, people burnt down hotels in the city. Hotel Rivoli, where legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and other cricketers stayed during Tendulkar’s last Ranji trophy match in Lahli village, was also targetted. Other hotels, including the three-star Hotel Viceroy, were robbed and destroyed.
All major eateries where a majority of the Rohtak residents would turn to, for a fancy evening, were set ablaze. This includes McDonalds, Pappu Bakery and Blueberry Cake Shop. All the alcohol shops were robbed and burnt.
All the major car showrooms in the city were destroyed. Protesters burnt Cheverlet’s showroom on Sonepat Road while some robbed cars and burnt them on the road. Hyundai’s showroom on Jind Bypass was burnt with more than a dozen cars being destroyed. At the Toyota showroom, agitators burnt an Innova while destroyed three other cars and a motorcycle. Protestors wrecked more than 50 computers, among other furniture in the showroom. The newly-built showroom of Maruti Suzuki Nexta was burnt; the losses are yet to be ascertained. At the Honda showroom on Hisar road, the agitators destroyed four cars while burnt a motorcycle.
Vice-president of LPS Bossard, who also owned the franchisee of Honda showroom, Nikhlesh Jain, said, “My family in Delhi wants us to shift the business out of this city. The destruction happened while the police and the government did nothing. I have no hopes that the government will help us in any way.”
Rohtak’s Industrial Model Town (IMT), where Hooda had pushed for the setting up of many industries, was affected during the stir.
Sources said one of the subsidiaries of Asian Paints in the town was burnt. The industrial town had already drawn flak from industrial owners due to robberies.
This may further act as a barrier for other industries to set up their plants in Rohtak.
The only mall in the city, Merian Skytech Mall, in Sector 3 was robbed and burnt, so was the market in the Gandhi camp.
Non-Jat shop owners alleged they were specifically targetted by the Jats. Some said they were threatened by the agitators that their houses would be invaded at night. The markets belonging to Punjabis were attacked by the agitators. They robbed and burnt shops in Gandhi Camp, another Punjabi-dominated area.
At Quilla road, where protestors burnt two shops, Punjabi shopkeepers had joined hands to protect their shops. The agitators also attacked the stores and hotels of Baniyas and Sainis. Residents of Sector 1 said they heard agitators mob deciding not to burn the Mahindra car showroom on the Delhi bypass as it belonged to a Jat.
Curfew clamped on Hisar town, five villages after fresh violent protests
HISAR: Curfew was imposed in Hisar town and five villages of Hansi sub-division of the district and shoot-on-sight orders issued after Jat protesters indulged in violent protests in the area on Monday.
HT/PHOTOSecurity personnel patrolling the streets of Rohtak town where a large number of shops and other private properties were damaged by Jat protesters.More than 150 protesters with covered faces turned up at the Red Square market at Hisar town at about 5.30pm and went on a rampage. They vandalised many shops in market, following which most of the shopkeepers downed their shutters. The youths fled the spot only after army and police personnel reached the spot to control the situation.
Deputy commissioner (DC) Hisar Chander Shekhar Khare ordered curfew in Hisar town and 5 villages of Hansi sub-division where Jat protesters had a face-off with members of other communities.
A large number of Jat protesters, carrying lathis and hockey sticks, entered Sisaya, Baulan, Kalirawan, Sainipura and Dhani Pal villages to attack non-Jats in the area. Besides, heavy police force the army was called in to control the situation. The DC also ordered ‘shoot-at- sight’ orders in these areas.
RAIL, ROAD TRAFFIC REMAINS SUSPENDED
Meanwhile, road traffic on various national and state highways from Hisar to various destinations, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Sirsa, Siwani and Bhiwani is disrupted. Railway traffic from Hisar to various destinations including Delhi, Ludhiana, Bhiwani and Sadulpur also remained suspended.
All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti spokesman Ram Bhagat Malik said, “We have decided to take-back our stir from Ramayan and Mayyar villages after we came to know that protesters are lifting their dharnas at Rohtak and Sampla. We will lift our blockades by tomorrow morning.”
He added, “No Jat youths are now creating problems for anyone in Hisar. We don’t know which community indulged in rampage in Hisar city and Hansi villages.”
FLAG MARCH IN FATEHABAD, HISAR
Army and police personnel took out a flag march in Hisar town and Fatehabad to maintain the law and order situation. Fatehabad assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Gangaram Punia said, “We took out a flag march on Sirsa-Hisar road, old bus stand, Lal Batti Chowk, MM college road and Ratia chungi areas.”
PEACE MARCH BY ‘36 BIRADARI’
The district administration formed a Chattis Biradari (36 communities) team, which took out a peace march in Fatehabad city.
Sikh volunteers run 24-hour langar for stranded
KARNAL: As thousands of people were left stranded on the Delhi-Ambala national highway (NH-1) by road blockades put by Jat protesters for two days, city residents responded with overwhelming generosity, offering them food and shelter.
RAVI KUMAR/HTPeople walking during a blockade by Jat protesters at Ladsoli village in Sonepat district on Monday.But an impromptu gesture by dozens of teams of Sikh volunteers who ran a round-the-clock community kitchen (langar) stood out.
Sikh youths car ted free snacks, cooked rice and hot tea in copious quantities to feed stranded travellers, including a team of HT journalists.
“Sanu taan sangatan di seva da chauv hai ji (we derive pleasure out of serving humanity,” gurdwara head Baba Joga Singh said, adding that people of all ages, castes and religions were welcome to partake of tea and meals.
The gurdwara volunteers laughed away questions on the quantity of food and other eatables used in the langar over the past two days.
“I would not know how many quintals,’’ the gurdwara head said with a smile.
Other volunteers, including Joginder Singh and Sardul Singh, recalled how Baba Joga Singh politely convinced the police who initially objected to the long queues of vehicles around the gurdwara.
“We have been offering roundthe-clock langar in the memory of Mata Sahib Dev Kaur here for three decades and our volunteers come in large numbers whenever such situations arise,’’ the gurdwara head said.
Indian mobile, Pak network!
Amit Khajuria,Tribune News Service,Jammu, December 31
In a major security concern, Pakistan has increased its mobile tower range near the international border, keeping security agencies on their toes. The Defence Ministry remains tightlipped on the issue.Pakistan has spread its mobile tower range across the international border, touching the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in Jammu and Kashmir.Mobile phones in Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir are catching the service of Pakistani telecom operators, which have raised their signal strength near the international border.Pakistani telecom operators like Mobilink, Zong and PakUfone are active on National Highway 1, which connects Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. It had remained among the targets of terrorists for 12 years.After crossing Lakhanpur, prepaid mobile phones of networks from the rest of the country stop working and mobile phones start searching for network automatically.Some mobile networks from the other side of the border are tracked by the mobile phones, causing fear among tourists and pilgrims and raising a a big question mark on security.A number of incidents involving terrorists had taken place on the highway in recent years. The strong mobile signal strength on this side of the border could help Pakistani terrorists in their operations. Despite repeated attempts, the Defence Ministry did not respond on the issue.A technical expert of a telecom operator in Jammu told The Tribune on the condition of anonymity that no one was allowed to install a tower or radiation equipment within a radius of 10 km from the border on the Indian side.
Network@neighbour
- Mobiles in Kathua and Samba districts catching service of Pak telecom providers
- Service providers like Mobilink, Zong and PakUfone active on National Highway 1
- Strong mobile signal strength on this side of the border can help Pakistani terrorists
Ex-servicemen hold rally on OROP in Pathankot
ATHANKOT: A large number of ex-servicemen held a rally in favour of One Rank One Pension (OROP) at RB City near Pathankot on Sunday.
Led by Maj Gen Satvir Singh (retd), the rally was attended by ex-servicemen from Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Punjab. Singh, in his address, said the Union government did not do justice to the demands of the security personnel. He said that a case in this regard would be filed in the Supreme Court shortly. He claimed that on February 21 a mega rally would be organised in Varanasi.
Ex-servicemen want pension details out
Our Correspondent,Sundernagar, January 31
The Himachal Pradesh Honorary Commissioned Officers Welfare Association has urged the Central government to immediately issue the table on revised pension so that ex-servicemen can benefit from the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme.Jagdish Chand, president of the association, said the demand was accepted after 40 years and a notification was issued by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, November 7 last year. “Detailed instructions related to the implementation of One Rank-One Pension along with the table on revised pension for each rank and category were to be issued by the Pension Disbursing Agencies,” he said.He said even after three months, the Central government had not issued the table, delaying the release of arrears. The association has urged the Centre to issue the table and other guidelines to the authorities at the earliest.
Army Day 2016: General Dalbir Singh says Indian Army counted among most professional forces in the world
Army Day 2016: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Friday said the Indian Army is ready to face any challenges and is among the world’s most professional forces.
Army Day 2016: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Friday said the Indian Army is ready to face any challenges and is among the world’s most professional forces.
“Our response to natural disasters has been efficient, the world has also praised our efforts during the Nepal quake. We are ready to face challenges and are more than capable of overcoming them. Our biggest strength are our soldiers, we are counted among the most professional forces in the world,” General Singh said on the occasion of the 68th Army Day.
General Singh also said that good coordination between all three services (Army, Navy, Air Force) is the most crucial aspect to overcome any challenges.
“We will soon establish a veteran wing at Base Hospital, where the veterans will be exclusively treated. Modernization of our weapons is very important,” he added.
Army Day is annually celebrated on January 15. It marks the day in 1949 when Lt.Gen. K.M. Cariappa took over as the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from the last British commander-in-chief.
Honouring the indomitable valour and extreme courage of the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the forces on the occasion of Army Day.
“Saluting the indomitable valour, determination and dedication of our Army on Army Day,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Robin Dhowan and Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha paid homage to martyrs by laying wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Army Day is a day when the nation salutes the sacrifices and contributions as also the martyrdom of its valiant soldiers.
Siachen heroes laid to rest, residents pay moving tribute
Amidst the click-clack of the rifle stock and the barrel, and the three-shot volley, the mortal remains of Sepoy N. Ramamoorthy of Madras Regiment were laid to rest with full military honours here in his village of Gudisaadhanapalli on Tuesday. After close to a fortnight-long wait by the family, the coffin bearing the mortal remains of 28-year-old Ramamoorthy arrived at Gudisaadhanapalli at 10.45 p.m. on Monday from the Bengaluru airport.
Less than 12 hours later, the cortege–flanked by the Madras Regiment, the parent regiment of Sepoy Ramamoorthy and the Army Supply Corps, Bengaluru–was slowly led to the family’s own agricultural plot for a burial. The coffin draped in the tri-colour was opened briefly for the sepoys of the Madras Regiment to have a final glimpse of the martyr
Sunitha, the 22-year-old wife of Ramamoorthy was inconsolable as the coffin was lowered into the six-feet deep grave pit, while the father Nanje Gowdu, clenched the neatly folded tricolour that until minutes ago had adorned his son’s coffin tightly. The solemn funeral, well attended by the entire village, was punctuated by heart wrenching moments. Words failed a uniformed soldier of the Madras Regiment after he lost his composure and broke down into sobs as he embraced the grief-stricken mother of Ramamoorthy. The state government had handed over a solatium of Rs. 10 lakh to the family on Monday.
Like father, like son
A narrow lane off Arni Road twists and turns to end at a single-storey house that has been waiting for its owner’s return. It is from this house that 38-year-old M. Elumalai’s final journey began on Tuesday morning.
The mortal remains of the soldier reached his home at Adukkamparai, nearly 10 km away from the Fort City, during the early hours of the day. Relatives and villagers poured in to have a final glimpse of Havildar Elumalai and pay their respects. Havildar Elumalai was laid to rest at Adukkamparai close to 10.30 a.m. with full State and military honours.
The youngest of seven children, Elumalai was just seven years old when his father Muthu, an ex-serviceman, died. This was more than enough to inspire Elumalai to join the Army at the age of 18 years.
“He had completed Class X and wanted to join the Army like our father. He was passionate about working for the country, and at the same time, wanted to support the family,” his eldest brother M. Rajendran said.
The family hails from Melanur near Arni in Tiruvannamalai district, and Elumalai had moved to Vellore after getting married to Jamuna Rani. He had constructed a house at Adukkamparai before marriage. The couple has two sons – Kaviarasu (6) and Sri Priyadarshan (4).
Havildar Elumalai was a “highly intelligent” Non-Commissioned Officer, who had high level of initiative and was always willing to carry out any task assigned to him, a note about the Siachen martyrs from the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) said.
He joined the 19th Battalion of the Madras Regiment on October 28, 1996. He had displayed high degree of courage and was part of several successful small team operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and North East during nine years of field service. His ability to motivate his juniors and lead them earned him a place at the Sonam Post that required men with nerves of steel and high level of physical fitness.
He went on to obtain instructor grading in Weapon Course at Infantry School, Mhow and was posted as instructor at The Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington. Here, he trained several recruits. Prior to induction of the unit to Siachen Glacier, he was also part of the Unit Training Team. In fact, he had passed his promotion tests and was about to pick up the rank of Junior Commissioned Officer. School Education Minister K.C. Veeramani along with Collector R. Nanthagopal paid homage to the soldier. The Minister handed over the State government’s solatium of Rs. 10 lakh to his wife. Army officers and personnel were present during the soldier’s final journey.
Schoolchildren join final march
The body of Lance Havildar S. Kumar (38) was laid to rest at Kumananthozhu, his native village, with full military and state honours here on Tuesday.
The coffin was kept on the campus of government higher secondary school at the village to enable family members, relatives and villagers to pay homage. Collector N. Venkatachalam, Superintendent of Police J. Mahesh, and officers from the Army, Madras Regiment and NCC paid their respects. Director General Recruitment Brigadier Sangram Dalvi, Coimbatore Station Commander Col. Sandeep Saxena Satpathy, 44-Field Commander Lt. Col Ravichandran, Lt. Col Thomas Mathew of MRC Wellington and 11 joint commissioned officers and 60 Jawans conducted the funeral parade.
After rituals, the army men carried the body to the burial ground. School children and local people took part in the funeral procession. He was laid to rest around 10.45 a.m
with a 21-gun salute and full state and military honours. Later, the collector handed over a cheque for Rs.10 lakh to his family members. Ex-Servicemen appealed to the Centre to honour all 10 deceased army men with highest military award.
Earlier, the body was flown to Madurai from New Delhi and brought to Theni on road around 2.30 a.m. It was kept in Theni Government Medical College Hospital near Gandamanur pass till this morning as per request of the family members. Hundreds of youth, mostly friends, thronged the hospital late night to see the body. The handful of policemen at the GH struggled to control them. Doctors in the GH too paid homage to him.
Mr. Kumar joined the service while he was doing his higher secondary course. He is survived by his father Srinivasan, a small farmer, and mother Panjammal.
His wife Kavitha is working in a private school at Mayiladumparai. He has a six-year-old son Riyas.
Villagers honour their hero
The body of Lance Havildar G. Ganesan (25) was cremated with full military honours at his native village Chokkathevanpatti near Usilampatti here on Tuesday morning.
Ganesan’s body was kept near his house briefly on Tuesday morning for the local people to pay homage. Later, the body was taken by military personnel to the cremation ground in a procession in which District Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao, Superintendent of Police Vijayendra S. Bidari, senior army officials and hundreds of people from Chokkathevanpatti and nearby villages joined. At the cremation ground, army personnel gave a 21-gun salute. Students from Valandur Panchayat Union Middle School, who had come for the cremation, sang a patriotic song as homage to the martyr. The villagers handed over Rs. 65,000, which they had collected, to Ganesan’s family. Similarly, the army personnel, who had collected Rs. 1.3 lakh, also handed over the money to the family.
Earlier on Thursday night, state Minister for Coperation Sellur K. Raju handed over Rs. 10 lakh to Ganesan’s family.
With eye on China, India seeks 100 armed drones worth $2 billion from US
India has sought from the US 100 latest unmanned aerial vehicles, both armed and surveillance versions, worth USD 2 billion to bolster its arsenal amid recurring incursions by Chinese troops.
Industry sources familiar with New Delhi’s interest and ongoing talks between the two governments, said India had requested for the latest Avenger drones, which is basically an unmanned combat air vehicle, and is mainly being sought with an eye on China.
It has also sought Predator XP category which is a surveillance version for internal security issues and terrorist threats.
According to industry sources, India is looking for about 100 drones worth USD 2 billion.
However, while talks in this regard have accelerated in the past few months, the US has not made any formal commitment or given a public indication pending India’s application to joining Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Italy, which is upset with New Delhi’s treatment of its marines, appears to have currently blocked India becoming a member of MTCR.
However, both Indian and US officials are confident that they would be able to get through the last hurdle in the next few months, thus making them possible to take the defence trade – which would include armed drones – to the next level.
“Yes, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) is aware of India’s interest in Predator-series Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA),” Vivek Lall, chief executive of the US and International Strategic Development of General Atomics told PTI.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems produces Predator series of remotely piloted aircraft.
“Due to US export laws, the US government has to approve the export of a Predator-series RPA to the Indian government. GA-ASI remains very encouraged by the recent India-US bilateral engagements at the highest levels and we are hopeful that we can play an important supporting role in these discussions,” he said.
“Predator-series RPA could provide a world-class Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability for India which would include both high-definition radar and Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) coverage along India’s borders,” Lall said in response to a question.
Additionally, the RPA can perform humanitarian aid/disaster relief surveillance over both land and sea, said Lall, who had previously played a key role in US sale of high tech military assets to India during his stint at Boeing.
– See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/with-eye-on-china-india-seeks-100-armed-drones-worth-2-billion-from-us/?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=inshorts_full_article&utm_campaign=inshorts_full_article#sthash.K7FUQuuz.dpuf
Joint search begins again near Tibri military station
Migrant labourers had said they were thrashed by two ultras at Bahia village
TIBRI (GURDASPUR): With some migrant labourers complaining to the Tibber police that they were thrashed by two suspected Pakistani militants in sugarcane fields of Bahia village opposite Tibri Military Station on Saturday, security agencies launched a search operation for the terrorists in Mann, Chopra, Tibri, Shorhian Bangar and Kotli Sainian villages on Sunday.
HT FILESecurity forces have been searching for two suspected terrorists at Tibri and other villages near the military station since Saturday.
Sleuths of Punjab Police, the army, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Israel-trained SWAT (Special Weapons Attack Team) have been pressed into service for the joint search operation.
Gurdaspur senior superintendent of police Gurpreet Singh Toor confirmed that a search operation had been launched, but refused to share details on the plea that this could hamper the search.
He added that Tibri Military Station, 5km from Gurdaspur city, on the Gurdaspur-Mukerian Road, could be a possible target.
After a similar search at Pandher village search was called off on Wednesday, there have at least two instances where villagers claim to have seen the two terrorists.
On Friday, Lavpreet Singh (22), a resident of Tibri village, had claimed that he was stopped by two Pakistani terrorists. Unconfirmed reports of terrorists hiding in the fields of Virk-Talwandi village had also been reported at the Tibber police station.
BSF works to plug gaps along Indo-Pak border
TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE? Top officials camping in the area to ensure the porous borders, used by smugglers till now, are secured
PATHANKOT: The Border Security Force has increased surveillance in the Bamiyal sector along the Pakistan border in Punjab, believed to be a transit point for smugglers, drug traffickers and terrorists because of stretches of “gaping holes” in the heavilyguarded boundary.
HT FILEThe BSF has sprung into action and erected more barbed wires and surveillance equipment such as high-beam lights along the border.
Pakistan-based terrorists reportedly sneaked through this porous border to lay siege on the Pathankot air base recently, as did their comrades to attack Dinanagar police station some months ago.
The BSF came under severe criticism for the “gaps” in the border fence.
The complex geography and topography of the area — compounded by a fast-running Ravi river and swampland of tall grasses on its banks — make it difficult to build a continuous fence of barbed wires along the border.
About 750 metres of land were without a fence at many points because of the river terrain.
The BSF spokesperson said senior officers were camping at the frontier village of Bamiyal since the Pathankot attack and overseeing work to strengthen the surveillance system.
BSF special director-general MK Singla was reportedly visiting areas where the border has remained porous. He was said to be leading a team of BSF officers to fortify vulnerable points with modern equipment.
To plug the gaps, the paramilitary force has installed highbeam lights and other equipment to detect movements.
The spokesperson said the BSF has added at least six more companies and a process was initiated to deploy 800 more personnel to guard the area. “We have placed more barbed wires, modern surveillance equipment and more boats to tackle the fast current of the Ravi,” he said.
