OROP stir: Another veteran's health deteriorates

Col. Pushpender Singh, who was hospitalised after fasting for nine days over the non-implementation of One Rank One Pension, is stable but the health of retired havildar Major Singh has worsened.

Col. Singh was rushed to the Army Research and Referral Hospital after his health deteriorated on Tuesday. "He is stable now and recovering," a hospital spokesperson told IANS.

Spokesperson for the ex-servicemen front, Col. (retd.) Anil Kaul, said the veteran has refused to break his fast.

Also, the health of retired havildar Major Singh, the second veteran who started fasting last Monday, has worsened.

"Hav. Major Singh is likely to be evacuated today, though he is refusing to be taken to hospital," Col. Kaul told IANS.

He added that havildar Ashok Chauhan, who started fasting last Tuesday, and havildar Sahib Singh were fit.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is supposed meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday over the issue.

The government had urged the protesting veterans to wait till August 26 before scaling up the protest.

Col. Kaul, however, said they have not received any message from the government so far.

Tuesday is the 72nd day of the protest and relay hunger strike. There are around 24 lakh retired servicemen in India and around 6.5 lakh widows who will benefit if OROP is implemented.