Retd Captain burns artificial limbs protesting pension non-payment

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) A retired army captain today burnt his artificial limbs at India Gate here this evening, protesting that his disability pension was not being given to him.

Captain (Retd) C S Sidhu claimed that the army had not been giving the disability pension due to him, two years after he had retitred in 1978.

Sidhu had lost his right hand and was receiving pension for two years after which it was revoked on technical grounds.

''The army even faxed a letter to the bank that the pension should be withdrawn, which the bank did without even giving prior notice,'' he rued.

Sidhu, who hails from Chandigarh, was accompanied by three of his friends, who are also retired armymen.

General J J Singh, when asked for comments on the matter later, said, ''rules for compensation are made by the government. All we can do is look into the case and make a recommendation to the government. The final decision rests with the Ministry of Defence,'' while adding that some compensation on compassionate grounds could be taken.

Police officials, however, refused to confirm the incident.

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