Bomdila incident: IAS officers'' body seeks action against Arunachal Scouts

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, November 7

Days after a large number of Arunachal Scouts personnel vandalised Bomdila police station in West Kameng district, central IAS officers association has alleged that a woman officer was abused and pelted with stones during an attack. 

In a letter written to Defence Ministry, Indian Civil and Administrative Services (Central) Association has demanded that "alleged perpetrators should be brought to justice so that such incidents remain as an aberration in the otherwise illustrious legacy of armed forces".

"On November 2, the 2nd Arunachal Pradesh Scouts led by Col FB Firdauz and Adjutant Maj Kaushik Roy vandalised government properties and physically assaulted the District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner, SP and other officials," said the letter by Rakesh Srivastava who is secretary at the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

The letter added that the "use of force in an area that has not been declared as disturbed area can only take place on the requisition of the District Magistrate under the direct supervision of an Executive Magistrate at the spot as per the established law and procedure".

A large number of Arunachal Scouts personnel had vandalised Bomdila police station in West Kameng district, damaged five vehicles and snatched away arms and ammunition after two of its personnel were taken there in connection with an incident of alleged misbehaviour, police said.

Army, however, had differed with the police on the incident. A defence communique had said the two personnel of the Second Arunachal Scouts were picked up by police when they had gone to attend Buddha Mahotsav in Bomdila and were severely beaten up in custody. "The incident is an outcome of highhandedness displayed by the Arunachal Police coupled with the lax attitude of the civil administration," it added.