TEZPUR: Following a call given by the Federation of Veterans’ Association (FVA), The All Assam Federation of Veteran’s Association (AAFVA) asked all the Districts Federation of Veteran’s Association to observe one day hunger strike in front of DC offices with due prior permission. In the Sonitpur district at Court Chariali of Tezpur near DC office, a hunger strike was organized by District President Capt. Indu Medhi and secretary Sub Maj/Lt Tikendra Basumotary. It was observed peacefully by a large number of Veterans and Veer Naris (JCOs & OR) of Sonitpur District Federation of Veteran’s Association. State president Sgt Dinesh Mahanta, Chief Coordinator Capt Lohit Chandra Bhuyan, State General Secretary Sub Maj PK Gogoi and Assistant Secretary Sub Maj K K Borah of (AAFVA) also observed the hunger strike.
State president Sgt Dinesh Mahanta, said that the current demands of the ex-servicemen include priority for the lower ranks (jawans) with Army officers in disability, less amount of OROP for Veterans and Veer Naris, enhancement of family pension to Veer Naris, Equal Military Service Pay(MSP) for all ranks, discrimination in Disability Pension, no OROP for Reservists, no OROP for Premature-Retired (PMR) Veterans, removal of the anomaly of ‘X’ group Pay/Pension, discrimination in ECHS Facilities, differentiation in Treatment of Veterans & Veer Naris and discrimination in Provisions of CSD Canteen. The agitating ex-servicemen said that the ex-servicemen have been struggling for their demands for a long time, but instead of listening to them, the central government is ignoring their demands.
A condolence meeting was also held at the end and observed 2 minutes silence prayer for the untimely demise of Veteran Sub Shiv Singh who passed away while on hunger strike in Uttarakhand on the day.
Also watch: