Ex-servicemen protest desecration of Rezang La war memorial on Kargil Vijay Divas

Besides action against the vandals, veteran servicemen also sought removal of a liquor vend near the Rezang La memorial

The commemoration of Kargil Vijay Divas on Wednesday turned into a forum of protest against the vandalism and desecration of the Rezang La war memorial in Palam Vihar, with ex-servicemen, decorated soldiers and war veterans coming together and demanding action against the culprits.

Besides calling for action against the vandals, the ex-servicemen also called for the removal of a liquor vend, which has allegedly become a major cause of nuisance at the roundabout. They further alleged that miscreants often create a ruckus at the war memorial and disturb the ambience of the place.

The city police said that a case has been registered against unknown persons at Palam Vihar police station and efforts are on to identify the accused. Taking note of the incident and the outrage in its wake, the district administration has directed steps to beef up security at the site and even introduce housekeeping service at the memorial for maintenance. They have also called for steps to repair the damaged structures at the memorial.

Eight stone benches, floodlights and coloured bulbs installed at the memorial were broken on Tuesday night.The veterans blamed the incident on the miscreants and sought strict action.

The Rezang La war memorial was built to honour 114 soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the historic battle of Rezang La pass in 1962. Many of them were from Gurgaon, Rewari and Mahendergarh. A similar memorial has also been constructed at Rewari.

“We have given a week’s time to the district administration to take necessary measures and arrest the miscreants who vandalized the memorial and hurt the sentiments of the entire nation. Is this how we treat those who sacrificed their lives for the nation?” Lt General (retd) JBS Yadav said. The veterans also said that they were not satisfied with the way the administration handled the matter.

Read I Ahead of Kargil Vijay Diwas, 1962 Indo-China war memorial in Gurgaon vandalised

Dr TC Rao, who is associated with Martyrs’ Family Welfare Foundation, said that the liquor vend just opposite the memorial was a source of constant nuisance as miscreants often create nuisance at the memorial in a drunken state.

“This is the last straw. We want the government to take action as this is a direct affront to soldiers who make supreme sacrifice for the nation,” Rao said.

Later, a delegation of the veterans met Gurgaon deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh and apprised him on the situation.

“The civic agencies have been asked to repair the memorial and instructions have been given to the excise department to check whether the liquor vend conforms to excise norms,” Vinay Pratap Singh, deputy commissioner, Gurgaon, said.

The police said that they are probing the incident from all angles.

Ravinder Kumar, public relations officer, Gurgaon police, said that the police has taken cognisance of the act and registered a case under Section 427 of the Indian Penal Code and PDPP ACT. “The Palam Vihar police is investigating the incident from all angles and we also request the public to share information about the accused. The culprits will be nabbed soon,” Kumar said.