Defence veterans hold dharna at Azad Maidan

A group of defence veterans on Monday held a dharna at Azad Maidan to seek the withdrawal of an FIR against an army major in Kashmir. The officers said that such an action would affect the morale of the force.

"It is a stab in the back of the armed forces. It will be extremely difficult for them to do their duty. How will the forces feel that if they take an action, an FIR will be filed against them. It will defeat the purpose of them being sent on a mission," said Lt Gen, K Brar.

"On one hand they are removing FIRs against those pelting stones and on the other hand, they are filing one against officers," said Commander M Bhada (retired). He added, "How can you file an FIR when someone has come under attack by not just one or two but hundreds of people. Army is put under special acts. They should have gone that way."

"It is a shame that his father had to go to Supreme Court to have the FIR quashed against his son," said captain Raj Mohindra (retired)

"If the FIR continues to be there, then he cab be harassed depending on the mood of of the police and the political heirarchy. Kashmiri people do not like army to be present there," said commander GVK Unnithan (retired).

"We will take this protest ahead if the FIR is not withdrawn. It is sad that the defence minister has not said anything on this," said S Balakrishnan, one of the other organizers. The meet was also attended by MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha and MP Arvind Sawant was likely to come.