OROP row: Ex-Servicemen to boycott 1965-war anniversary celebrations

NEW DELHI: As their agitation entered the fast-unto-death phase after two months of relay hunger strike, the veterans demanding One Rank One Pension ( OROP) today voiced their dismay over the Centre's "inability" and decided to boycott the upcoming celebrations of 1965-war golden jubilee.

63-year-old Colonel Pushpinder Singh (Retd), one of the two who has launched fast-unto-death said, "We thought Prime Minister may announce at least a date from his speech. But now we are demoralised and it is a huge setback that he didn't say anything. We are sitting on an indefinite hunger strike from today and it will continue till the OROP is accepted."

Amid sloganeering and songs, Colonel Ishwar Verma (Retd) said, "This movement is not restricted to the soldiers but to the nation. Politicians recognise only vote rest they are completely blind. This movement should be taken to Bihar and the people should be told what this government is doing."

The protesters have now decided to boycott all the government programmes including the 50th anniversary of 1965 war with Pakistan, which the government is planning to celebrate on August 28.

"We will boycott all the government programmes including 50th anniversary of 1965 war. This is the 64th day of our protest but government is not listening us," Major General Satbir Singh (Retd), Chairman of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement said.

"The black flags are being hoisted in house of every jawan all across the country from today. We have taken this movement online with Mission OROP plus page on twitter and every 35 seconds more and more people are connecting with us," Singh added.