Report on troop movement 'absolutely baseless': PM, Antony

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the defence establishment on Wednesday dismissed a news report in a Delhi daily on the "unusual" movement of two elite Army units towards the capital in mid-January as "alarmist" and "absolutely baseless".

The report in Indian Express that said the government was "spooked" on the night of January 16-17, because of the movement of a mechanised infantry battallion from Haryana's Hisar and a sizeable section of 50 Para Brigade created a storm in the government, defence establishment and political parties.

"These are alarmist reports. They should not be taken at face value," the Prime Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The newspaper issued a statement in which it said it stood by the report that came after investigation over six weeks.

"The report is a meticulous reconstruction and a very sober interpretation of the movement of two key Army units towards New Delhi on the night of January 16-17," it said adding it was written by a team headed by Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta.

To a question on the stand off between government and the Army Chief, the Prime Minister said, "the Army Chief's office is an exalted office. All of us have an obligation to do nothing that would lower its dignity."

Singh was reacting to the report on the movement of troops, which took place on the day Army Chief Gen VK Singh approached the Supreme Court on the age issue.

Defence Minister Antony described as "absolutely baseless" fears of coup by the armed forces and expressed confidence that they will not do anything to undermine democracy.

Referring to the news report which said the movement was without the knowledge of the government, Army sources said that there was no requirement for clearance from the Ministry in case of movement of troops below Division level (comprising more than 10,000 troops).

Ministry sources also said that Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma had spoken to the Director General (Military Operations) on the day and asked for a report on the issue.

Army sources said once the aim of the movement of troops was achieved as per Standard Operating Procedure, the troops went back to their respective locations.

"Absolutely baseless. Army has already explained this. It is usual, natural activities. Nothing unusual. We are absolutely confident of the patriotism of the armed forces. Don't question their patriotism. They will not do anything to undermine Indian democracy," he told a press conference in Visakhapatnam after commissioning 'INS Chakra', a nuclear power submarine.

Antony said the armed forces personnel were "true patriots" and "don't question the patriotism of the soldiers who are dying in the frontiers of the country."

"I am proud of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard," he said and urged the media not to lower the dignity of the armed forces on issues of national security.

Political parties reacted with caution to the news story.

BJP said it was "assured" by clarifications from the Army and government on reports of troop movement to the capital but insisted that the Prime Minister should proactively restore the equilibrium between the Defence Ministry and armed forces.

"There are reports today in a newspaper of unusual movement of Army units around Delhi in January. Both the government and the army have categorically denied it. We are assured to learn about this denial," BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference.

While being cautious and responsible on the issue, BJP did not let go of an opportunity to hit out at the government. It heaped praise on the Army for its sacrifice and professionalism but made a scathing attack on the government for failing to check its growing differences with the Army.

"We must ensure- and that is indeed very important-that there is no room or apprehension for any sponsored story. The relationship between the army and the political leadership of the country is at an all-time low. This is a matter of very deep concern," Prasad said.

"We want the government to be more proactive. Several questions have arisen about the Army. The Prime Minister has spoken one or two lines today after a long silence. We expect he will speak more on this sensitive issue and play a more proactive role... This must end," Prasad said.

Terming reports about "unusual" troop movements towards Delhi as "very serious", the CPI asked Defence Minister A K Antony to clarify what had actually happened and sought a probe into the incident as well as the reported differences between the army and the Ministry.

"Unfortunately, this report has come in the backdrop of reported misgivings between the army and the Defence Ministry. There has to be a comprehensive inquiry into all these things. These issues cannot be separated as these are matters concerning national security," new CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said.

In a statement, Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said, "the points raised in the report have already been clarified by the Army...such exercises are conducted by the Army from time to time." He also dubbed the report as "baseless and incorrect".

Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said the report was "highly irresponsible and anti-national".