Former chiefs of services write to PM condemning police action against ex-servicemen

In an open letter to the PM, the  former chiefs of the three services have said they are "deeply perturbed and distressed" by the police
action on the protesting veterans on the eve of Independence Day during a drive to clear the area of protestors.

"These veterans have been on a peaceful demonstration at this venue and have been trying to make the Government hear their voice since 12
June 2015. We unequivocally condemn the action by the Police and urge the Government to investigate and take immediate action," the chiefs
said.

"This indiscretion on the part of the Police has seriously impacted the pride and morale of all ranks of the three Services and the
Veterans. It is pertinent to mention that these veterans are the same soldiers, who have displayed unflinching loyalty towards the
Constitution and the Nation during their service and still remain motivated to die for a noble cause. Unfortunately their dignity and
pride today stand scarred and is a cause for serious concern," they have written.

The chiefs also said that they regretted that the Prime Minister had not announced the implementation of OROP in his address to the nation
on Independence Day.

"We stand steadfastly by the side of our colleagues and  fully support their just cause...We would strongly urge the Government to settle
this issue expeditiously and in an urgent time frame. Any further delays, in our considered view, will be at the cost of damaging the
pride of the veterans and lowering the morale of the Armed Forces."

The letter is signed by seven former Army chiefs General VN Sharma, General Shankar Roy Choudhary, General S Padmanabhan, General NC Vij,General JJ Singh, General Deepak Kapoor and General Bikram Singh, two former Air Force chiefs Air Chief Marshal NC Suri and Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi and former Naval chief Admiral Madhvendera Singh.

Meanwhile, at Delhi's Jantar Mantar,Col Pushpinder Singh (retd) of 3 Grenadiers and Havilder Major Singh (retd) of 3 Sikh Light Infantry
have rejected all requests to reconsider their "fast unto death."

The two veterans on hunger strike said they were forced to escalate matters after PM Modi failed to announce OROP in his speech.

The protesting veterans had met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday  and said he asked for four to five days more for a final
resolution.

The veterans have reportedly  sought a meeting with Prime Minister Modi, who is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates and returns to
India on Tuesday.

For nearly a decade, ex-servicemen have demanded the same pension as people of the same rank who are retiring now.