DEHRADUN/PITHORAGARH: In a decisive escalation of their 33-day-long agitation, protesting ex-servicemen have announced that they will take their fight directly to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Haldwani on March 21, demanding a clear-cut answer and immediate reversal of the decision to shift the 130 Eco Battalion from Pithoragarh.
Braving relentless rain and biting cold, the ex-servicemen have kept their protest alive with unwavering resolve.
What started as a localized protest has now turned into a larger Jan Andolan, drawing participation and support from veterans across regions, including the remote Pungraun Valley.
The protesters are in no mood to soften their stand. “This is not just a demand—it’s a final call. We will confront the Defence Minister and seek a firm commitment.
Either the decision is rolled back, or this Andolan will intensify further,” said members of the Ex-Servicemen’s Organization.
Anger is palpable at the protest site, with many veterans—some battling serious health issues—continuing their sit-in with the help of daily medication.
They have squarely blamed the government for forcing them into such extreme circumstances.
Hitting out at the government, the ex-servicemen said that slogans and promises made in the name of soldiers stand exposed.
“On one hand, big talks of a ‘military state’ are made, and on the other, the very soldiers are ignored when it comes to their core concerns,” they said.
Despite 33 days of continuous protest, the administration has failed to initiate any meaningful dialogue, further deepening resentment among the veterans.
The organization has made it clear that the An will not be called off until the shifting order is revoked.
With the Defence Minister’s visit now seen as a crucial turning point, the ex-servicemen believe the issue has reached a decisive turn.
“This is the moment of accountability. The country must see whether its soldiers are heard or sidelined,” they asserted.
Among those who joined the protest today were Subedar Major Umed Singh Karki, Keshar Singh Mehra, Captain Lalit Singh (Sena Medal), Bhagwan Singh, Anand Singh, Kedar Singh, Hayat Singh, and Naveen Gururani, along with members of senior citizen groups.
The message from the ground is blunt: the fight is far from over, and the सरकार must now respond—clearly and decisively.
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