Pune speak up: Who is supreme, army or law?

A group of young officers from College of Military Engineering (CME) allegedly thrashed traffic police posted at Tilak Chowk and created a ruckus with citizens and media personnel. The incident happened after two young CME officers were intercepted for violation of traffic rules. Speak Up brings you reactions

If officers are found guilty, army will take strict action against them
Whatever happened is very sad. Army personnel have valid driving licences and all the traffic rules are applicable to them just like other civilians. The army also teaches about traffic rules as part of its training procedure. In the first place, the young CME officers shouldn’t have used the Sambhaji Bridge, which is closed for two-wheelers during daytime. There is a separate adjacent bridge for two-wheelers.
On the other hand, we also have to realise that not all outstation army personnel posted in Pune will be aware that the bridge is not meant for two-wheelers. Even if there is sign board that informs two-wheelers are barred, an outsider is bound to miss it. If the officers are found guilty, the army will take strict action against them.
—Lt Col (Retd) Pradeep Brahmankar, director, Apex Carriers

Civilians should not make a fuss about this issue
It is very wrong what the young CME officers have done. The way they behaved shows lack of discipline in them. There would have been some provocation from the traffic police, but the officers should have kept their cool. I largely blame the CME officers as they shouldn’t have allowed the issue to escalate. It is surely going to bring a bad name to the army.

The army must take strict action against these officers if they are found guilty of any wrongdoing. This will set an example to other officers that such behaviour will not be tolerated. The civilians should not make a fuss about the issue, because if the officers are proved guilty, the army will take strict action and show no mercy. As per the law of the land, the army will hold an investigation and the officers will be tried as per the Army Act, 1950, passed by the Parliament. Only rape and murder cases, wherein army personnel are involved, are tried by civilian court, rest all is tried by the army.
—Maj Gen (Retd) SCN Jatar, president, Nagrik Chetna Manch

It is sad that men in uniform insult and manhandle protectors of law
The incident that took place is unbelievable and unpredictable. As the young officers broke the norms, they were asked to pay a fine of Rs100. They started abusing our lady constable and a male constable was directed to demand additional staff from control room. In the meantime, the young officers also called their people and started abusing and beating the cops. And now the officers are complaining that they were manhandled, abused and harassed If they had such complaints, then they would have contacted and told us. You cannot take law in your own hands. It is so sad that men in uniform insult and manhandle the protectors of law who are just doing their duties. This attitude shows lack of respect for law and women.
—Vishwas Pandhare, deputy commissioner of police (traffic)

The issue is being handled by chief PRO of defence
We are in discussion with the Command on the issue; we will come out with an official reply on the same after the discussion. The issue is being handled by the Command and the chief PRO of defence.
—Lt Col Sunil Nair, College of Military Engineering (CME), PRO

Clarification from public relations office, ministry of defence, Mumbai
The army has ordered a court of inquiry to investigate the incident. The officers concerned have been debarred from leaving CME premises. The CME headquarters is in touch with the local police authorities. The clash between the police and army officials was an unfortunate incident. The two young officers are undergoing a course at the College of Military Engineering (CME), Dapodi.