Soldiers' families demand 'fair' probe into Nyoma case

Families of soldiers of an artillery unit today staged a protest here demanding a speedy and "fair" probe into a brawl which took place among some officers and troops at a strategic location in Ladakh in 2012.
The violent brawl broke out on May 10, 2012 in the 226 Field Artillery Regiment at the Mahe field firing ranges near Nyoma in eastern Ladakh.
The incident took place after jawans became furious over a fellow soldier allegedly being thrashed by young officers for daring to complain about the behaviour of a major's wife.
Their families claimed that army officers were trying to cover up the issue and few soldiers have been sentenced to 7 to 10 years of imprisonment.

The families of the soldiers have also submitted petitions to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar seeking "justice".
They alleged that during the brawl, the army officers had beaten up Sumar Kumar, a soldier, accusing him of barging into a fellow officer's wife's room.

They claimed that the allegations against Kumar were "fabricated".
"The probe carried out into the incident was a conspiracy by senior officials. The fight took place among army officials but in order to save their image, they framed the innocent soldiers," Sandeep Kumar, a relative of a soldier said.
"We demand from the authorities a speedy and an unbiased probe so that the soldiers are not denied their pension and other allowances," Rakesh Kashyap, brother of another soldier said.

Army sources on the other hand said the due process is being followed.
"Court Martial proceedings are not one sided. Even an accused is allowed to present his case and witnesses. Everything is taken into consideration," the sources said.
The jawans' families, however, make claims to the contrary.
"Army officials stayed along with their wives during wartime which was not allowed. And they organised night parties also. To hide these wrongdoings innocent soldiers were framed," Munnai Gupta, wife of a captive soldier alleged.
No action was taken against the officers but the soldiers have been sent to jail for 7 to 10 years, she claimed.

"We have submitted our petition to President, PM and Defence Minister requesting fast judicial proceedings and acquittal of innocent soldiers. We will submit our representation to Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) also," they said.
The court marshal proceeding in the violent clash will decide the fate of nearly 168 personnel including and four top officers, army officials had earlier said.
The clash had left the unit commanding officer Colonel Prasad Kadam, two Majors and two jawans hospitalised with limb fractures, bruises and other injuries.