Alumni questions charges against Brig LI Singh
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 23 2012: The Sainik School Imphal Alumni Association (SSIAA) has expressed anguish and concern over leaking of news in connection with a court of inquiry ordered against Brig L I Singh by some Army officials, which it said is unethical.

In a statement issued by its President, SSIAA observed that the former students of the School hailing from Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh feel that leaking of such sensitive information by some army officials to the media amounts to character assassination of Brig LI Singh before he has been given an opportunity to explain his position.

Brig LI Singh is the first Army Officer among the alumni of the School to reach the rank of Brigadier.

Based on his clean track record, he was appointed recently as the Deputy Director General, Discipline and Vigilance (DDG, DV) at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi after his tenure as the Cdr of the Watershed Brigade in Sikkim.

Brig LI Singh's old school mates expressed surprise how an officer who was chosen for his clean track record in May this year, has been charged of corruption in June.

The news report said that only officers with unimpeachable integrity and spoken reputation are posted to the DV directorate, which is responsible for keeping a hawk eye on army's internal health and integrity, the statement noted.

The statement questioned, "How can an officer become suddenly corrupt in one month? If there were charges against the Brig, why was he picked up for a branch which requires officers of high integrity? Is there any hidden agenda in leaking such news? .

Brig LI Singh joined the Indian Army after clearing the NDA examinations.

The Alumni Association feels that the actions initiated against Brig LI Singh is a clear example of victimization of the clash of top brass of the Indian Army, which is unbecoming of the country's most respected institutions, the statement said.

It went on to point out that Brig LI Singh had excelled in Staff College and Higher Command Course.

For excellent, commendable performance and exemplary leadership while commanding his battalion in Drass, Brig LI Singh was awarded Yudh Sewa Medal after Operation Parakram.

The present action initiated against such an officer with impeccable record and integrity and who has served the nation smacks of a serious rethinking.

The entire fraternity of the ex students of Sainik School Imphal strongly feels that the charges leveled against him and branding him as guilty by the media before an official inquiry seems to be an already pre-determined move of the India Army to implicate him somehow, irrespective of the outcome of the said inquiry.

The Indian Army top brass has belittled its image with this act of witch hunting to settle scores and find a sacrificial lamb to prove otherwise.

Brig LI Singh must be, on the other hand, rewarded and honoured, which a true soldier deserves, the statement maintained.

The Indian Army must not forget that Brig LI Singh continues to be source of inspiration and he motivates thousands of youths in the region to join the uniformed services to participate in building a stronger nation.

The Alumni Assn strongly feels that better sense should prevail and close this case once and for all, it added.

Comment