Flood-hit civilians take on Army, military authorities condemn act

Nagpur: Hit by floods over the last few days, civilians residing in the Kamptee cantonment pushed their way through after a showdown with the military authorities. The residents had been at loggerheads with the local military authority (LMA) since the lockdown due to restrictions imposed on their movement inside the cantonment area.
The LMA had allowed thoroughfare only twice a week. After access through other routes was cut off due to floods, residents gathered in huge numbers at the gate. Later, the LMA agreed to open the gates for four days after which a meeting will be held to decide the further steps.
Sources said there was apparently an ugly spat between the Army and civilians. A resident has also filed a complaint with the police against a Lt Colonel for allegedly threatening him while another alleged that he was assaulted by a soldier.
It began with residents of Juni Kamptee area, who were affected by the floods, demanding reopening of access through the cantonment area which was closed following Covid. They claimed that after the cantonment roads were blocked residents had to take an over 10km detour. The floods had left the longer route damaged and the only motorable road was through the cantonment.
The residents of Juni Kamptee first gathered on the main road. With other civilians joining, the protest spilt over to the national highway which was blocked for 10-15 minutes, according to the residents.
Soon, former district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule of the BJP, other political leaders and police reached the site.
Gaurav Bhutani, a resident of The Mall area in cantonment, said he was driving out with his brother Paras when an office of Lt Colonel’s rank stopped him. According to the complaint filed by Bhutani, the officer ordered soldiers reporting to him to prevent the duo from moving in an out of the cantonment. Not only was there a heated argument, the Lt Colonel also threatened him, stated Bhutani’s complaint.
Bhutani said the matter worsened after one of the civilians was hit by a soldier. On seeing the Juni Kamptee residents, even those from other areas gathered at the gates. Soon videos and pictures of the protest went viral on social media.
Parminder Wahie, the president of Kampte Cantonment Nagrik Mandal — a residents association, said a group of vegetable vendors were trying to use the road through the cantonment and were stopped. This led to a protest.
Wahie said that the authorities have now agreed to open some of the gates. “A meeting will be held with all the stakeholders after which a final decision will be taken. A public meeting should be held in this matter,” he said.
Police officials also confirmed the development and decision to open the gates.
A statement issued by the Army said a large number of villagers from Juni Kamptee and Gora Bazar brazenly broke all protocols off Covid protection. “Many of them were without face masks endangering the health of Army personnel being trained. The protest was orchestrated by certain civilians residing the in the old grant bungalows in the cantonment. They do not follow Covid protocols. Such behaviour is condemnable,” the Army stated.