New Delhi, August 9
The government has taken a serious note of the suicide by an Army jawan and the subsequent protests by jawans against the officers of an armoured unit based in North India.

A jawan of 16th cavalry regiment, Arun V, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, committed suicide with his service weapon on Wednesday. His angered mates raised slogans against the officers and surrounded their residences in protest. The incident occurred in Samba, Jammu Kashmir.

The Prime Minister today requested the Rajya Sabha “not to discuss the matter” as it would affect the “morale of the forces”. Separately, Defence Minister AK Antony has sought a detailed report from Army Chief General Bikram Singh, who is touring Western Command under which the incident took place

The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry (CoI) into the matter. A Brigadier from the Yol-based 9 corps has been tasked to probe the incident. The jawan had some issue back home in Kerala and had asked for leave, which was denied. Additional troops have been rushed to the area to prevent any further escalation.

The Prime Minister responded after CPM members referred to yesterday’s incident saying there was a breach of discipline in the military camp after a soldier committed suicide.

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said, “It’s a serious matter. Let the Defence Minister respond.”

As AK Antony was not present, the PM responded by saying, “I request the House not to have a discussion on the subject...This is a very small incident, which is being blown out of proportion. It is not good for the morale of our armed forces.” The Opposition adhered to the request of the Prime Minister.

This is the second instance of friction in an Army unit between jawans and officers in the past four months.