Sensing fresh political turmoil in the city, Intelligence agencies have warned that a group of three dozen or more ex-servicemen are planning to hold a snap demonstration outside Prime Minister's residence at 7 lok Kalyan Marg.
Agencies have cautioned the Delhi Police to be alert to any group movement towards the PM's residence in the coming days. A report in this regard was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and to the Delhi Police as well.
The demonstration by a group of ex-servicemen owing allegiance to a political party, is aimed at paying homage to late 70-year-old Ram Niwas Grewal — an ex-servicemen from Bhiwani district in Haryana — who allegedly committed suicide by consuming Sulphos pills at a park in New Delhi on November 3 this year over One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue. Grewal had died at Dr Ram Manohar lohia hospital.
Political parties may extract political mileage by exploiting the situation, the report further stated.
“Input has been received that retired Subedar Attari Singh Multani, along with 35 ex-servicemen, from Ambala and Haryana are planning to hold snap demonstration at the 7, lok Kalyan Marg. On November 13, which was a Sunday, Subedar Multani along with 21 ex-servicemen paid homage to deceased Grewal at Bhiwani. Possibility of any untoward incident of the ex-Army men cannot be ruled out,” the intelligence report stated.
“A group of ex-servicemen will not be moving towards the Prime Minister's residence in groups to avoid getting detained as they will try to reach individually. There are chances that the ex-servicemen might resort to extreme measures like committing suicide or self-immolation,” the Intelligence report further warned the Delhi Police and other agencies in-charge of the outer layer security of the P M's residence.
The report also stated that political parties might take advantage of the situation and make it a political slugfest. “Political parties cutting across party lines may try to take political mileage by exploiting the situation. “The Delhi Police is keeping a close watch and adequate arrangements have been taken by them,” said a senior Delhi Police officer when asked about it.
It may be recalled that Grewal’s suicide had created a political storm in the national Capital with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi being detained by the Delhi Police while trying to meet Grewal's family members.
Before taking the extreme step Grewal had reportdly telephoned his son, Jaswant, and told him that he was committing suicide and that will be a “sacrifice” for the nation. Grewal had served as Sarpanch (village headman) for five years.