*SUKNA LAND SCAM ?*
Almost all institutions in the country, including that of PMO, have
been destroyed / subverted / weakened by the politico-bureaucrat ic
nexus. Military is the only institution still intact but the vested interest
(bureaucracy) wants to systematically do the same to it also. In the so
called Sukna land case, the bureaucracy has misguided the Raksha Mantri in
to interfering in centuries old and well tested military judicial and
justice system. This is a most dangerous trend.
Sukna episode is not a SCAM, nor even a scandal, and a mountain has been
made out of a mole hill. The land belongs neither to the army nor the govt,
nor it has been occupied by Army but is a private tea estate. Since the land
is still with the owner, where is the scam? The issuing of NOC for the
construction of a school, within the prohibited area around the cantonment
is the issue. Don’t *ALL *our cantonments have civilian pockets within them?
Aren’t *ALL * our military stations surrounded by civilian areas ? If there
is no security threat to all such stations what is so peculiar with Sukna ?
Law of ‘No Construction with in 1000 yards’ of the boundary of a military
establishments is violated and flouted everywhere with impunity, without any
exception . The DCs routinely issue ‘ change of land use,’ orders , may for
a consideration. The most glaring cases are construction near vast
ammunition depot at Badowal (Ludhiana) and a most sensitive Air Force
establishment at Kasauli. These affect National Security far more seriously
than the Sukna case. The media must go into these violations and seek strict
actions against the guilty.
For all issues arising out of giving of NOC, the Army Chief, after examining
the Court of Inquiry, other evidence and the recommendations of the army
commander, is well within his legal and administrative rights to decide on
the further course of action. In the instant case, his decision to take only
administrative action can be as debatable as any judicial order.
Sometimes ‘administrative’
action can be quicker and harsher than a Court Martial, where a person has a
right to defend himself.
Unprecedented Intervention by the R M is irregular and is beset with grave
implications, besides impinging on the rights and sanctity of military’s
judicial system. He appears to be goaded in this matter by the MOD
bureaucracy, for obvious reasons related to our ongoing agitation for Parity
in Pension and thus to show military in bad light. Both the RM and the Army
Chief can be put in a very embarrassing position when called as defence
witnesses by a clever defence counsel in the Court Martial .What happens if
the case is lost? Can the institutional damage inflicted on the Military be
then undone?
Aspersions have been cast on the integrity of the COAS himself. Why should
Civil –Military rivalry or infighting amongst top few Generals be allowed to
erode the faith of the soldiers deployed on borders or at 21000 feet in
Siachen, in their military’s justice system and its leadership ,thus
lowering their morale, which is a ‘Battle Winning’ factor ?
The real ‘*SCAMS’* are grabbing of defence land of military camping
grounds and around the cantonments by the big fish are real land scams.
Govt must NOT apply entirely different yardsticks for civil and military
personnel . It is all right that armed forces ought to be clean, but scale
to measure guilt must be same. It takes 19 years to convict a DGP for
molesting a minor girl, whereas in the army those involved even an
underweight egg are dealt with expediously. Military Soldiers accused in
the Tehelka case were severely punished while nothing happened to any
civilian . Bureaucrats involved in proven corruption cases are promoted or
even go as Governors. Is it JUSTICE ? Let ‘justice’ be equitable for all.
As per the media reports, black money of US$ 1.4 trillion ( about Rs 75
LAKH CRORES) is stashed away in Swiss banks by our corrupt politicians,
bureaucrats and the like. Yet not a whimper is heard about it . Yet dead
horse of Sukna is being flogging, by all, rather noisily .
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The All India Defence Brotherhood (Regd)
