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Jawan assaults CO of Batala NCC unit
Vijay Mohan/TNS

The trigger The jawan, who was missing from duty, was summoned by the CO for an explanation The jawan reportedly misbehaved with the CO and even used foul language The CO ordered his arrest following which the jawan assaulted the officer Increasing disorder Last week, troops of the Sikh Light Infantry had clashed with officers at Meerut over the outcome of a boxing match 168 personnel of an artillery regiment, including its CO, are facing disciplinary action over serious altercation at Nyoma near Leh in 2012

Chandigarh, October 14
Close on the heels of a clash between officers and jawans in Meerut, the Commanding Officer of an NCC battalion in Punjab was today assaulted by a jawan following an altercation between the two.

Sources said the jawan, posted at the 22 Punjab NCC battalion at Batala, was apparently missing from duty last night. He was summoned by the Commanding Officer (CO) today morning and asked to explain about his whereabouts. The jawan reportedly misbehaved with the CO and even used foul language.

The CO ordered that the jawan, deputed to the NCC from the Sikh Light Infantry, be placed under arrest. This angered the jawan and he assaulted the officer. The incident took place in the presence of other unit officers and jawans.

The CO, who is from the Gurkha Regiment, did not sustain any serious injury. He was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. The jawan has been placed under arrest. A Court of Inquiry (COI) has been ordered into the incident. A Colonel posted with a brigade at Amritsar has been detailed as the CoI’s presiding officer. There have been several clashes between officers and jawans in the recent past.

Last week, troops of the Sikh Light Infantry had clashed with officers at Meerut over the outcome of a boxing match. It has left two officers of the rank of Major and a jawan injured.

In perhaps the biggest incident of collective indiscipline in the Army, as many as 168 personnel of an artillery regiment, including its Commanding Officer and five other officers, are facing disciplinary action over physical altercation at Nyoma near Leh. A jawan allegedly misbehaving with the wife of an officer is stated to be the cause of the fracas.

There was another case in 45 Cavalry at Gurdaspur where officers and jawans clashed. Unrest was reported from 16 Cavalry at Samba following a jawan committing suicide.