Srinagar, May 11: Soldiers deployed in Leh area near India- China border took control of armory in an Artillery camp to protest against the beating of a batman (helper) allegedly by a senior Army officer, sources told Greater Kashmir on Friday.   
 According to the insiders in 226 Field Regiment based at Noyama Leh, a batman (helper) allegedly molested the wife of an Army Major Thursday evening. The Army Major beat up the batman (helper) ruthlessly in front of other soldiers of the unit. “The batman started bleeding profusely but Major did not allow others to remove him to MI Room for treatment,” they said. “Major’s denial infuriated other soldiers and they beat him up.”
 “In the meanwhile the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Unit came out of his residence and abused the officers and soldiers. The CO abusing officers irked a few of them and they beat up the CO ruthlessly. He was removed to the hospital,” sources said. “Soon after the CO was beaten soldiers launched a hunt for Major rank officers, but they fled. Only two Majors were found in a barrack and they were beaten ruthlessly.”
 Nearly 40 to 50 soldiers, according to the sources, have taken control of armory in the camp.
 “Three Army Majors have taken shelter in near by Chashul camp. The camp is under strict cordon and every effort is being put to normalize the situation,” sources added.
 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Leh, Vikek Gupta denied any information about the incident.  “Army has not reported the matter to us. No comments,” said Gupta.
 Meanwhile, Army today ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident, but denied that soldiers have taken control of armory. "The situation is under control and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Soldiers controlling armory is baseless," Army’s Udhampur based spokesman for Northern Command told Greater Kashmir. 
 “The inquiry was ordered after the Defence Ministry sought a report from the Army about the incident,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 IST