28 January,2010 08:37 AM IST | | Surendra Sharma & Anshuman G Dutta
The Himachal Pradesh govt says they are ready to take the Param Vir Chakra winner
Even as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) continued to give a clear explanation over the demotion of Param Vir
Speaking to MiD DAY over phone Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal called it an "unfortunate and demoralizing" incident. He also informed that he had written to Union Government and the Ministry of Defence two years ago when Kumar was demoted from the rank of Havildar to Lance Naik. "It is very demoralizing as a person for him and also the common man is aghast over such a disturbing development. How could somebody who won the highest gallantry award could be demoted just like that?" he said.
All that the Ministry of Defence could come up, in reaction to MiD DAY story 'Double demotion for Kargil Hero, dated January 27, was that the Army is a disciplined force and the action was taken as per the rules.
"The state government has offered him a job and we are waiting for his reply. May be he is bound by the military rules and can not leave the service without completing the mandatory period," said a close aide of Dhumal.
Meanwhile top sources in the Himachal government informed that the job offer is open for Kumar and the state government would be more than eager to offer him a good post.
Lance Naik Sanjay Kumar is the native of Bakain, Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh and has completed 13 years in the army. He got selected in 13th battalion of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles (JAKRIF) and belongs to a family of soldiers. While his uncle also served in the Indian army his brother has been serving in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).u00a0
Besides Sanjay Kumar Captain Vikram Batra (from the same unit) was also awarded the PVC (posthumously) in the Operation Vijay.
"It is very demoralizing for the soldiers who risk their lives for the country. We would like to do what ever we can to save the honour and pride of a gallant soldier," said Dhumal over phone from Shimla.
