Port Blair, Aug 03: The alleged misbehavior by staff at Jarawa Canteen with family member of Mr Khurma Rao, Member Zilla Parishad has been investigated by ANC after Andaman Sheekha reported the event that how son of Mr. Khurma Rao was allegedly manhandled by staffs of INS Jarawa Canteen.
In a clarification the PRO of ANC, Col Yogesh Sharma today said that Mr Khurma Rao visited the Canteen on 31 July 15 along with his son and other family members. He was however not able to purchase all the desired items since the monthly transaction limit of his canteen card had exhausted.
Accordingly, he was advised to come to the Canteen the following day, being first day of August and purchase the balance items. His son took all the items which had been paid for and segregated the remaining items. Therefore, contrary to the allegations, the remaining items were not paid for by Mr Khurma Rao.
Mr Vikas, son of Mr Khurma Rao came to the Canteen the next day and asked for the items segregated by him. On being informed that as per Canteen Operating Procedures, these items had been placed back on respective racks, Mr Vikas got annoyed and commenced an argument with the Civilian Canteen Staff for not keeping the segregated items separately.
He even threatened the Civilian staff with dire consequences. As this argument was disrupting normal functioning of the Canteen, Mr Vikas was escorted out of the Canteen premises. Subsequently the Canteen Officer offered to verify the allegation of misbehaviour by visiting the site along with Mr Vikas, which he refused. As per rules the Ex Service Man (Card holder) is to be present in the canteen during all purchases. The Escort is not allowed to enter the canteen but was allowed to do so after repeated request from Mrs Rao as a humanitarian gesture.
“It appears that the reported allegations are resulting from annoyance over non preferential treatment of son of the complainant. Nevertheless, in case the allegation against civilian staff is found to be correct, necessary action will be taken,” the PRO ANC said.
However, the victim, Mr. Vikas while talking to Andaman Sheekha and Channel One News today maintained that he was manhandled by Canteen Staffs. Vikas also urged the ANC to check the CCTV footage, which will clarify the matter but in the clarification of ANC there was no mention about CCTV footage. Moreover the hurriedly made clarification of ANC failed to present complete truth as at no point of time on 31 July Mr. Khurma Rao had gone to the said Canteen.
Mr. Khurma Rao today told Andaman Sheekha that he would write to the Minister of Defence if this matter is not properly investigated and facts are kept hidden.
