8th IRB jawans lay down arms
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 21 2011:
Jawans of 8th IRB (Commando Battalion) laid down their weapons and staged a strong protest against the conduct of their Commandant today.
In protest against the alleged excesses committed by CO Nongmaikapam Satrajit, the jawans laid down their weapons and stayed away from duty.
The anguished jawans attached to 7th MR complex located at Khabeisoi in Imphal East district demanded replacement of the existing one with another.
On hearing about the jawans' uproar which started since early morning today, CO Satrajit himself came to the battalion but he was denied entry by the agitating jawans.
Later the 7th MR CO Th Chandramani came to the scene and pacified the jawans.
The jawans accused CO Satrajit of interfering in everything like mess, MT etc with a motive.
He used to scold jawans using foul languages when any jawan refused his unethical orders.
Many times, the jawans were beaten.
The CO also instructed the jawans to draw their salaries from his bank account.
He also made it a rule to seek his permission to switch on generator sets when there was no power supply and even for taking a sheet of A4 size paper.
The agitating jawans returned to their duty in the afternoon on the assurance of the 7th MR CO to convey the matter to senior officers.
On the other hand, CO Satrajit contended that he was posted there very recently and that he has no authority to distribute salaries nor the requisite amount sanctioned.
However, being a newly opened battalion comprising of only newly passed-out personnel, some strict rules were enforced, the Commandant said.
Being CO in-charge of 2nd MR too, administration of the newly opened battalion (8th IRB) could not be undertaken in a satisfactory manner.
The agitation of the jawans was unjustified and it appeared that they were instigated by some people, Satrajit said.