Defence Minister AK Antony on Tuesday sought a report from the Army on the transfer of paralysed NSG Commando PV Manesh from his hometown Kannur in Kerala to Delhi. Reacting to a report published in The Pioneer on Tuesday that highlighted the plight of the ailing commando, Antony expressed shock on the transfer and assured justice. “I am shocked to see this matter. I have sought a report on this matter,” he told The Pioneer.
Havildar Manesh received grenade injury during an NSG operation at Hotel Oberai on November 26, 2008 when Mumbai battled terror assault from Pakistani militants.
Antony has reasons to be upset with the Army officials. Overlooking the physical condition of Manesh, the 27 Madras Unit of Madras Regiment had transferred him to Delhi and ordered him to join the new unit by October 27.
In doing so, Army officials brushed aside Antony’s recommendation to treat the commando’s case sympathetically. The Defence Minister had made this recommendation on a petition from Manesh’s wife, Sheema. A “bystander” attached to the commando was withdrawn by the Army unit before Manesh’s transfer to Delhi.
Facing grim predicament, the soldier had approached the Delhi High Court. The Bench headed by Justice Gita Mittal and Justice VP Vaish had stayed the transfer order on October 22, seeking response from the Army and the Defence Ministry. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for January 24.
In his writ petition, Manesh said he was constantly abused and threatened by the Commanding Officer of the 27 Madras Unit.
Manesh was accommodated by the Army at his hometown unit of Territorial Army in Kannur on compassionate grounds after he was discharged in wheelchair from hospital. He had eliminated two terrorists in the NSG’s operation in Hotel Oberoi and saved 40 people.
The brave commando was hit by a grenade hurled by the terrorists and was in coma for four months. The soldier got Shaurya Chakra for his heroic acts. His right side is totally paralysed and he is able to walk around 100 meters with the help of stick.
Earlier, Army had also refused to reimburse the expenses of his life-saving Ayruvedic treatment, which he had undergo twice a month. The Army contended that Ayurveda was not an approved treatment in Forces. After the Delhi High Court’s intervention, the authorities had agreed to reimburse the soldier’s medical expenses.
