People rise in support of soldiers after scuffle with police, IAS Association's 'unfair' stand

Itanagar: A scuffle that broke out between Army troops and police officials in Bomdila of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday snowballed into a major controversy between bureaucrats and military personnel where the commanding officer of 2 Arunachal Scouts is now receiving massive public support.

On Saturday, according to the local police, two soldiers were apprehended by the Bomdila police for allegedly misbehaving with visitors at a local festival. The Army personnel alleged that their soldiers were beaten up in the lock-up and were badly bruised.

However, the Indian Administrative Services Association complained to the Defence Ministry that the Army personnel had misbehaved with the district magistrate and the complaint did not have any version of the Army officials who have been complaining against the high-handedness of the local police.

After the IAS association jumped into the matter, Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar intervened and tweeted:

The DM/DC must be a complete fool to permit two Armymen to beaten up by local Police @PemaKhanduBJP

This constnt needling of Armymen n testing their limits by a few in @IASassociation n police is dangerous stupidity n must not be ignored anymore. @PMOIndia @KirenRijiju https://t.co/YFkqZtzZ1n

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) November 7, 2018

On the complaint by the IAS officers against the Army personnel, Chandrasekhar objected over the one-sided narrative and said,

Dear @KirenRijiju - I agree its sensitive n MUST sttld asap.

But I take serious excption 2 some in @IASassociation trying to leak n put out a 1-sided narrative whle @adgpi has 2 be silent n disciplnd.

Pls addrss this! Else I n othrs will spk for men in unifrm. Be very sure🙏🏻 https://t.co/HLXYeDJFpt

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) November 7, 2018

“Hoping for a fair probe into the matter,” he said.

This issue shd not be driven by a typical @IASassociation one-sided narratve.

I trust the #IndianArmy will ensure respect to laws n justice agnst those who violate law

Ppl expect a fair indpndnt investgtn into conduct of DM/DC n police. @nsitharaman @PemaKhanduBJP @PMOIndia https://t.co/plSva7YRDs

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) November 7, 2018

Chandrasekhar soon received support from various quarters as several serving and retired officers jumped in his support. Noted lawyer and military supporter handle @singhnavdeep tweeted:

Hope those guilty of allegedly beating up two serving soldiers mercilessly while in police lockup, the precursor to the unfortunate incident, are also taken to task.https://t.co/lbaAyYtgkP

— Navdeep Singh (@SinghNavdeep) November 6, 2018

Tempers on both sides cooled down after the Defence Ministry spokesperson Col Aman Anand tweeted:

Incident involving Army Jawan & local police pers at Bomdila has come to light. Accusations being looked into. Meanwhile, issue was discussed today at highest level in State Adm & Army. Any excesses from anyone will not be overlooked @DefenceMinIndia @adgpi @indiannavy @IAF_MCC

— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) November 6, 2018