Army Recruitment drive or a firing range?

Sunday 19, July 2009
An 18-year-old youth has been killed and three persons were injured as armymen opened fire on irate aspirants who went on a rampage during an army recruitment drive alleging irregularities in the process in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh.

The violence spread to other part of Chandauli city, 300 kms from Lucknow, with irate protesters torching vehicles and attacking the circle officer's office and the district court, prompting the state government to order a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

"One person was killed and three others were injured during firing by armymen after the aspirants went on rampage alleging irregularity in recruitment process," Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Brij Lal said.

Two companies of para-military Provincial Armed Constabulary comprising 200 personnel have been dispatched to maintain law and order. "The situation is now under control and senior officials are camping in Chandauli," he said.

Superintendent of Police, Chandauli, Laxminarayan claimed that police were not informed about the recruitment rally at a local polytechnic. Nearly 2,000 youths, including many from Bihar, had gathered for the recruitment drive.

"There were scuffles between the youths and armymen and later the situation went out of control," he said, adding an 18-year-old unidentified boy was killed in the firing and three others injured, including a local Jitendra Prasad.

Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told reporters in Lucknow that the government has ordered a magisterial inquiry in the incident.(AKS-19/07)
One killed in Army firing during recruitment drive in UP

Recruitment Rallies
There is increase in violence in conducting periodical Mela's cum rallies for recruitment. The staff and personnel posted to recruitment directorates/ zonal and branch offices must be of impeccable calibre and free from corrupt activities. They should refrain from from trading with touts and illegal agents who have political links and generate black money during all recruitment drives. The CBI should play a important role in apprehending these touts and agents who receive bribes from potential candidates.
Backlash in units
A signalman in my Company during my command was caught red- handed selling Rations and POL in the civil market and he was charge sheeted for the Offence. Out of curiosity I enquired why he engaged in stealing and selling Government stores. What he said stunned me. He said his parents had borrowed Rs 10,000 to pay as bribe to touts for recruitment and now they have no money to pay back the loan, therefore, out of sheer necessity he was forced to steal and send money home.....truly a shocker commonly faced by many unit commanders.
Lt Col James Kanagaraj (Retd)