KOLKATA: The Army and the
Ordnance Factory Board
(OFB) may continue to spar on the issue of alleged faulty ammunition or barrels of artillery guns but the common soldier continues to suffer. On Tuesday, Sepoy Sayan Ghosh of the 73 Field Regiment was killed after the barrel of a 105mm field gun burst during live fire training at Akhnoor in Jammu. Two others were injured. Ghosh (22), was a resident of Kanchrapara in North 24-Parganas.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief and announced an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 for the family. This was handed over by
Gp Capt Sanjay Bhattacharya
of the Rajya Sainik Board to the family. Gp Capt Bhattacharya also laid a wreath on Sep Ghosh’s mortal remains on behalf of the chief minister on Thursday at the Kanchrapara Military Station, a source said.
Ghosh was the sole bread earner of the family. While full military honours were accorded during the last rites, his next of kin will receive all dues. Questions have again been raised on how safe our artillery pieces are for the men who use them. The Army had recently raised the issue of faulty ammunition with the ministry of defence.
While the Army claims that accidents take place due to defective shells supplied by the OFB, the latter maintains that all its products undergo stringent tests and the results comply with international standards. According to the OFB, accidents occur due to faulty storage of shells and maintenance of the artillery pieces. This is something that the Army denies.
Start a Conversation
Post comment