OROP: Hunger strike called off, agitation continues

The Government should agree to VRS and the other four points, the ex-servicemen say

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Ex-servicemen protesting for the implementation of the much awaited one-rank-one-pension (OROP) scheme called off their hunger strike on Sunday, after receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reassurance on OROP but said they will continue with their agitation.

"We are happy to announce that we have called off the hunger strike. The Government should agree to VRS and the other four points. It's legal and justified. Agitation will continue," Major General (Retired) Satbir Singh told ANI.

Colonel Pushpendra, Havaldar(Retd.) Major Singh and Havaldar(Retd.) Ashok Singh called off their hunger strike after Singh fed the war veterans.

Singh, on Sunday requested ex-servicemen protesting for implementation of OROP scheme to end their hunger strike after clarity was reached on the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS).

"We request our people to take back the hunger strike after clearance of VRS," said Major General (Retired) Satbir Singh at Jantar Mantar.

He also asserted that the agitation will continue across the nation until the government takes a strong action.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi said people were being misguided about the VRS policy and added that the applied scheme would benefit all sections of the defence forces.

"Many people are trying to do politics. Those who didn't do anything for 40 years have no right to speak on behalf of jawans," Prime Minister Modi said while inaugurating the Badarpur-Faridabad Metro Line in Faridabad Sports Complex.