Former Army colonel Balwant Singh Barari can finally hope for justice. Court-martialled for having alleged links with the Assam drug mafia, exposed after a truck laden with Marijuana was caught
Former Army colonel Balwant Singh Barari can finally hope for justice. Court-martialled for having alleged links with the Assam drug mafia, exposed after a truck laden with Marijuana was caught, the former commanding officer had threatened to immolate himself. But now the Army has instituted an inquiry into the matter.
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Fight for life: Col Balwant Singh Barari with wife Asha at his residence
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Sources in the Indian Army said that one commissioned officer has been appointed as the Investigating Officer (IO). "It's a serious issue. An immolation bid by an ex-officer of the rank of Colonel can not be ignored," said an officer involved with the investigation, requesting anonymity.
The former commanding officer of an elite Army unit in the hostile terrain of Assam was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment that was later curtailed for reasons unknown to him. He is now planning to sit on an indefinite dharna outside Parliament and take his protest one step further by sitting on a hunger strike from March 21.
"I am tired of this issue. I along with my family will start a hunger strike for justice. And if nothing happens we will immolate ourselves on March 30," he said.
On March 12,
MiD DAY had reported that the colonel was planning to immolate himself.
"I was commanding the 21st battalion of the Assam Rifles in 1999 when the incident took place. It has ruined my family," he said.
He has already informed the Defence Ministry and every one concerned about his intentions. However, Barari is still waiting for a satisfactory response. "So far no one from the Army has contacted me," he said.
Barari, while alleging the involvement of senior Army and Assam Rifles officials with marijuana traders, has been demanding an inquiry into the case and the drug cartel in the Northeast for the last nine years. "Every one from the bureaucracy to the Army is involved in the drug business. I was made a scapegoat because I decided to go against them," he said.
