Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Jan 31: The issue of Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) not attending the Republic Day programme organised by the Union territory administration on January 26, is seems to have reached New Delhi. The Times of India today carried a news item on this issue and quoted that a letter from CINCAN’s office, in response to the invitation, cited certain “protocol violation” as the reason.
When Andaman Sheekha contacted the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, Mr. Udit Prakash Rai, who is incharge of organizing the State function of Republic Day, he said that no protocols were violated.
“All protocols were followed and there was no protocol issue,” the DC South Andaman gave a short reply. However efforts to contact the Public Relations Officer of ANC to get a comment, yielded no results.
Andaman Sheekha learnt that Republic Day is the day, when it is mandatory for all the government servants to attend the Republic Day program without bothering about protocols but what led to this development is still not clear. As the Public Relations Officer of Andaman and Nicobar Command mostly remains away from media since last few years, getting comment on crucial issues like this also becomes impossible.
“Republic Day is a ceremonial occasion which requires due adherence to protocol. On previous similar occasions when the issue of protocol was raised, it was intimated that the same is being finalised and will be promulgated in due course. In the absence of promulgation of protocol, the CINCAN will not attend the same on January 26,” read the letter dated January 25 and signed by Lt Col A Banerjee, deputy provost marshal for commander-in-chief, as per the report published by ToI.
It is rare for an armed forces command chief to refrain from attending the Republic Day programme where armed forces assume importance.
The report further added that, as per protocol, precedence should be given to the commander-in-chief of armed forces and chiefs of other service staff after lieutenant-governor in saluting the flag, arriving for the ceremony and departure after the ceremony. However, in Port Blair this is not followed and the police are accorded the priority before armed forces chief.
ToI has however also mentioned quoting sources that the commander-in-chief was not in Port Blair on January 26.
The matter had already become talk of the town since Republic Day, with many wondering why such development took place on the first place. Now it seems the matter is bound to take some serious shape.
Hopefully the Administration and ANC will clarify this issue to public so that the dignity and importance of Republic Day function is maintained.
