After NGT order, army veterans protesting for OROP at Jantar Mantar forcefully evicted

PTI photo

NEW DELHI: Several ex-servicemen, demanding the implementation of One Rank One Pension or OROP, were forcefully evicted from Jantar Mantar on Monday following an National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning protests and dharnas around the historic monument.

The army veterans have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for more than two years.

Demolishing the makeshift structures and tents, the police said protesters were informed about the NGT order in advance. 

“The OROP protesters were informed about the NGT’s order about vacating the Jantar Mantar area and asked to either leave or bring a stay order from the court,” a senior police official told news agency Press Trust of India.

The protester claimed the agitation was being carried out in a peaceful manner, when the police and civic body officials came with a JCB machine and demolished the tents and structures.

“They also took away our equipment and other stuff like beddings at around 8.45 am. We have been protesting peacefully demanding implementation of the OROP scheme,” said Major General (Retd) Satbir Singh. “It is an attempt to throttle our voice in a democracy. And, even if there has been any order from any tribunal, there is a way to do things. What they have done is completely unfair and unjust,” he added. 

He, however, clarified that nobody was hurt. The police too denied use of any force. 

According to NGT activists, the protests and protestors violate environmental laws and directed the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to remove all temporary structures, loudspeakers and public address systems from the stretch of the road.

The NGT’s verdict had come on a plea filed by Varun Seth and others alleging that processions and agitations held by social groups, political parties, NGOs at the Jantar Mantar Road were a major source of noise pollution in the area.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry on Monday said the report of a one-member committee on the OROP is currently being examined.

With agency inputs