Nyoma fracas: 15 Armymen get RI for mutiny

 Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, May 6

A summary general court martial (SGCM) has convicted 15 Armymen of mutiny in the infamous clash between officers and men of an artillery unit at Nyoma in Ladakh three years ago and awarded them varying terms of rigorous imprisonment.

The accused, all non-commissioned officers (NCOs), were charged under provisions of Section 37 of the Army Act, which deals with inciting, causing, joining or conspiring with other persons to cause mutiny, read with Section 34 of the Ranbir Penal Code (common intention). Seven of them have been awarded 10-year RI, six have been sentenced to seven-year RI and two have been given five years and three years’ RI for their alleged acts.

The findings and sentence of the SGCM, presided by Colonel RS Dalal, are subject to confirmation by the court’s convening authority. The trial ordered by the General Officer Commanding 8 Mountain Division concluded at Akhnoor near Jammu this week.

The accused have contended that there were a lot of contradictions in the evidence that was brought on record during the trial. They also claimed that the trial by the SGCM was not applicable in their case and the Army should have convened a general court martial instead.

This is the second batch of NCOs that have been convicted in the case. A few months ago, 10 NCOs were similarly tried and awarded 10 years and seven years RI. As many as 168 personnel from the 226 Field Regiment are facing disciplinary action in the case, which is perhaps the largest collective disciplinary action initiated by the Army. Trials of more NCOs and JCOs are expected to be convened shortly.

The Army has already tried the unit’s Commanding Officer and three other officers by court martial for alleged lack of command and control and assaulting a soldier. They have been reprimanded and awarded varying degrees of loss of service for the purpose of pension.