Soldiers cautioned over use of social media
Army chief General Bipin Rawat yesterday told soldiers during an Army Day function in New Delhi not to air their grievances through social media.
He said: “A few colleagues are using social media to share their problems. It affects the morale of the jawans [soldiers] and thereby, the army.
“A few of our friends have taken to social media to speak about their complaints. This affects the soldiers deployed at the borders ...
“You can be held guilty of doing a crime for what you have done and invite punishment,” he warned.
‘Warn your family’
He added: “We have the capacity to tackle cyber attacks, yet, we have to be careful against the enemy elements on social media, and also ask our families to be alert about it.”
On Friday, Rawat announced a new grievance redressal system, under which complaints would reach him directly while the identity of the complainant would be kept secret.
The comments come after a soldier alleged in a video that “jawans are being exploited in the army by officers”.
Two troopers from the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force had also taken to social media to air grievances related to their service conditions. arning Pakistan without naming it, Army chief General Bipin Rawat said yesterday that India desired peace but will give a befitting reply if peace is disrupted.
Speaking at the Army Day function here, he also warned soldiers against using social media to air grievances, adding it could result in punishment.
The celebration, marked by the customary parade and military display, also saw a “surgical strike” demonstration — like the one the Indian Army carried out on militant bases in Pakistani territory last year.
The Army Chief gave away 15 gallantry awards, including five posthumous ones.
Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who died in an avalanche in September at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, was among the award winners.
Speaking at the Delhi Cantonment, the Army chief said without naming Pakistan that India wanted peace despite
‘United we stand’
The LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Gen Rawat urged the nation’s defensive forces to work together to keep the country safe.
“I want to assure the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and other forces that they will always get support from the Army.”