Lt. General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, called on Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister lauded the Indian Army, particularly the Western Command, for their exemplary performance during “Operation Sindoor†in safeguarding the nation's integrity. In response, the Army Commander expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the State Administration for their unwavering support in all aspects of civil-military cooperation during the operation.
The Army Commander raised the issue of post-service employment of Agniveers. Saini informed him that the Haryana State Cabinet has approved a provision for 20% reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment of Police Constables in the Police Department. He noted that Haryana is the first state in the country to secure the future of Agniveers by ensuring job opportunities after their military service. He added that several other decisions have also been undertaken by the state government to support and benefit Agniveers.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also highlighted the need for opening Army Canteens in select areas that meet the required norms and criteria. The Army Commander assured him that the matter would be looked into. The Army Commander also urged for allotment of land to the Army Welfare Housing Organization to meet the critical housing needs of Army personnel.
During the meeting, a range of other issues were also discussed, including the welfare of ex-servicemen, provision of ex-gratia for martyrs, strict implementation of job reservation quotas for ex-servicemen and their dependents, and the need to address the staff shortage in the Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare Department to ensure its efficient functioning.
Professor Mahmudabad sent to judicial custody for 14 days
PNS Chandigarh
Ashoka University Assistant Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad on Tuesday was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a Sonepat Court in connection with FIRs registered against him for his alleged remarks on Operation Sindoor.
"The police had sought an extension of his remand by seven days, but on our objection, the court refused the plea and sent him to judicial custody for 14 days," said a lawyer representing Mahmudabad.
The two FIRs against Mahmudabad were lodged at the Rai Police Station in Sonipat in Haryana - one based on a complaint from the chairperson of Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia, and the other on the complaint of a village sarpanch. 42-year-old Mahmudabad was arrested on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the General Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana.
Earlier, Haryana State Commission for Women Chairperson Renu Bhatia took suo motu cognisance of Mahmudabad's remarks, which were alleged to be disparaging toward women in the Indian Armed Forces and promoting communal disharmony. The women's rights body had summoned the professor, but he failed to appear. Later, he said the commission had "misread" his comment.
