’Arrested terrorists often say, baad mein dekh lenge’

Retired armed forces officers feel increasingly threatened by terrorists and criminals. Subroto Roy reports

'Arrested terrorists often say, baad mein dekh lenge'

Retired armed forces officers feel increasingly threatened by terrorists and criminals. Subroto Roy reports

The threat, officers say, exists from criminal elements as well as anti-national forces like the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and other terror outfits.

Achtani, a resident of Konark Pura housing society, Kondhwa, who was kidnapped on the Dehu Roadu00e2u0080u0093Katraj bypass highway, was released after his abductors realised that the police were closing in on them. The abductors had demanded a ransom of Rs 20 lakh, but it was not paid.

Said Lt Genral D B Shekatkar (retd), "Arrested terrorists often say 'bad mein dekh lenge'. There are pockets in the city like Salunke Vihar, Kondhwa, and Koregaon Park where retired armed forces personnel are at risk because of increased activity by SIMI activists, and settlements by Bangladeshis and Kashmiris."

Shekatkar added that for around 2,200 retired army officers living in the city, only a few, including Lt Gen Shekatkar, had been provided with security. "A majority of armed forces personnel are sitting ducks for anti-national and criminal elements," added Shekatkar.

Former Chief of Army Staff Lt General Moti Dhar (retd)u00a0 echoed Shekatkar's views.

"The government and the police seem keen to provide security to politicians rather than the common man. In 2003, my house was attacked by dacoits when my daughter and niece were alone. I was in New Delhi to meet President A P J Abdul Kalam. My daughter opened fire with my gun, after which the dacoits bolted," said Dhar.

Incidentally, General Arun Vaidya was assassinated in the city on August 10, 1982 following his role in operation Blue Star.

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