The Army on Monday ordered an inquiry into a press release issued by its Western Command on the Annandale issue which was “derogatory” towards the Himachal Pradesh government and chief minister P.K. Dhumal. This was announced after the Army Chief, Gen. V.K. Singh, ad-mitted that a mistake had been made by someone.
Mr Dhumal also took up the matter with the PM on Monday. “With regard to Annadale land issues, Army has instituted an inquiry into the press release issued by HQ Western Command, which was derogatory against the state government and CM of Himachal Pradesh,” the Army stated on Monday.
Gen. Singh said, “We are on very good terms with the CM. I will speak to him. We have asked the Western Command about it. They have told me whose mistake it is. We will rectify it.”
However, Gen. V.K. Singh said he would tell Mr Dhumal the Army needs Annandale ground near Shimla for “strategic purposes” for its helicopters to land in an emergency since there was no other ground in the vicinity for the purpose.
Sources said the Army may consult the defence ministry since the role of a civilian government employee in the entire episode may also be examined. Sources said a draft statement may have been released in this case earlier from Chandimandir as the final statement by mistake without the approval of the Western Command top brass. The Western Command is headed by Lt. Gen. Shankar Ghosh.
Mr Dhumal said in New Delhi that “the way the Army people are interfering in Shimla on the Annandale issue, indiscipline is increasing and Army officers are making press statements.”