Mankotia: Move international court over torture of Saurabh Kalia

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, May 20

The Himachal Ex-servicemen League will urge the government to move the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the brutal torture and killing of Kargil martyr from Palampur Saurabh Kalia. The Chairman of the ex-servicemen league Vijai Singh Mankotia said this while addressing a press conference here today.

The league had, the former solider said, always stood by the martyr’s parents. The league would pass a resolution in its annual state conference scheduled for May 23 at Dharmasala, he said.

Capt Kalia, from the 4 Jat Regiment, was captured along with five other soldiers by Pakistani soldiers on May 15, 1999. Their mutilated bodies, with signs of severe torture, were returned to India on June 9,1999.

“I am unable to comprehend why the Indian government did not raise the issue in the International Court,” said the former Congress minister, adding that the government should move the ICJ on the issue as it has done in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

The league also demanded that something should be created in memory of first Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Somnath Sharma to recognize his sacrifice. “He belonged to Himachal and would have been an inspiration for generations but the successive state governments have failed to do enough on his name,” said Mankotia.

He also sought the government to increase the Himachal quota in Army recruitment.

The former minister said the demand would submitted to the government through the Governor, who will be chief guest in the league’s function.