M A I N   N E W S

Ladakh fracas: Disciplinary action okayed against 16 Armymen
Vijay Mohan/TNS

Chandigarh, January 7
Nearly seven months after officers and jawans of an artillery regiment clashed at Nyoma near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in southeastern Ladakh, a Court of Inquiry (CoI) has blamed as many as 56 personnel, including at least five offices, for the incident.

Sources reveal that the CoI has recommended disciplinary action against 16 personnel, including the regiment’s commanding officer, second-in-command and three other officers for failure of command and control, assault, indiscipline and other lapses. In addition, administrative action has been recommended against 40 other personnel for their role in the incident.

The CoI, presided by Brig Ajay Talwar, Deputy General Officer Commanding 3 Infantry Division has forwarded its findings and recommendations to Headquarters 14 Corps at Leh. The CoI had examined 220 witnesses, including officers, JCOs and other ranks, besides five civilians.

Initiation of disciplinary action could, depending upon the outcome of subsequent examination of the CoI report and other legal provisions and decision of the competent authority thereof, entail that those held blameworthy may end up being tried by a general court martial. On May 10 last year, three officers and eight jawans, including the commanding officer of 226 Field Regiment, were injured in the fracas at Mahe firing range near Nyoma, around 20 km from the LAC.

According to earlier reports, the incident had occurred after a Major thrashed a jawan for allegedly misbehaving with his wife. The jawan was not allowed medical treatment which created resentment among other troops. The commanding officer immediately reached the site and admonished the Major publicly, following which he was himself assaulted by the Major and other officers. This further angered the troops who beat up the officers. The Army had termed the incident as “an isolated case of indiscipline”.

The incident

On May 10 last year, three officers and eight jawans, including the commanding officer of 226 Field Regiment, were injured in the fracas at Mahe firing range near Nyoma, around 20 km from the LAC.

CoI findings

• A Court of Inquiry has blamed as many as 56 personnel, including at least five offices, for the incident
• It has recommended disciplinary action against 16 personnel, including the regiment’s commanding officer, second-in-command and three other officers for failure of command and control, assault, indiscipline, etc
• In addition, administrative action has been recommended against 40 other personnel for their role in the incident