Taking a tough stance against face-off between officers and men in Samba near Jammu last year, a Court of Inquiry (CoI) has recommended sacking of five jawans and court martial and censure of 55 other personnel, including the commanding officer.
The case relates to an incident in the 16 Cavalry Unit in Samba on August 8 where officers and men nearly came to blows after a jawan Arun V committed suicide reportedly after denied leave to go home in Tiruvanthapuram to attend to some domestic issue. Situation was brought under control after senior officers rushed to the spot and managed to pacify the agitated jawans who had surrounded the official residence of their officers.
The subsequent court of inquiry headed by a Brigadier, which was completed some days back, recommended termination of services of five jawans, disciplinary action entailing court martial against seven Army personnel including three junior commissioned officers (JCO) and four other ranks. The Court of Inquiry also recommended administrative action against nine personnel including four officers and five JCOs and posting out of 39 other ranks from Samba to different units. Administrative action can range from adverse entry in career record or censure or severe displeasure thereby affecting promotion prospects of officers.
Recommendations of the CoI have to be considered and confirmed by higher authorities including the Army Headquarters and the Army chief, officials said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, another court of inquiry looking into an incident of face-off in Nayoma, leh early last year has completed and Northern Command chief lt General KT Parnaik is now processing recommendations. Jawans and officers came to blows during a field exercise and when the CO tried to intervene, two of his junior officers allegedly assaulted him.
This led to the jawans roughing up their officers. When asked about the delay in completing the probe, officials said the presiding officer, a Brigadier, had to cross examine more than 150 personnel and ensure fair play before meting out punishment. Sources said result of this probe are likely to be made public within a few days. Army Chief General Bikram Singh took serious notice of these incidents.