EX-Colonel Balwant Singh Barari lives another day

Ex-Colonel Balwant Singh Barari stopped before self-immolation; Antony assures him 'justice'

EX-Colonel Balwant Singh Barari lives another day

Army officer stopped before self-immolation; Antony assures him 'justice'

Ex-Colonel Balwant Singh Barari's decision to immolate himself and his family finally moved Defence Minister AK Antony, who on Monday, promised him "action" on his complaint. Though Barari was expecting a written assurance but he was relieved after the minister spared some time to meet him on the day the former Army officer had decided to carry out his threat. "I have not got justice but now at least there is some assurance from the government that my complaint will be heard," he told MiD DAY.

The former colonel had threatened to immolate himself along with his family members outside South Block on March 30 if the government did not pay heed to his problem. "I was prepared to burn myself to death and my family supported my decision," he said.

But as soon as the family reached their protest spot outside Jantar Mantar on Monday morning , Delhi police personnel got ready to detain the former colonel. "Attempting suicide is a criminal act and we had to arrest him," said a Delhi police official posted at the site.

Barari was soon escorted to the defence minister's residence where the minister heardu00a0 his complaint and assured him of "action".

"I have waited so long. Earlier too other defence ministers have assured action but nothing happened. It will not harm if I wait for a few more days but I will not hesitate the next time," Barari said, while thanking MiD DAY for its support.u00a0 MiD DAY, on March 12, was the first to publish the story about the ex-colonel's fight for justice.

Meanwhile, sources in the Army said that Barari's case is being looked into and the organisation is collecting his service details. The former Army officer, who was court-martialled for having alleged links with the Assam drug mafia, exposed after a truck laden vehicle with marijuana was caught, had planned to immolate himself and his family on Monday. Frustrated with the government and the defence forces' inaction, the ex-colonel, who has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since March 11 and has been on indefinite fast since March 21, has written a letter to senior ministers of the UPA government, seeking sanction for joint immolation by his family.

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