Guwahati: Army Colonel transferred for bad behaviour after complaint by locals

The complaint submitted by the local unit of the Young Mizo Association, Mizoram’s largest community-based organisation with members in virtually every household, had detailed several reasons why they felt the Colonel should be transferred out and warned his continued presence would harm civil-military relations.

Student unions in the area had earlier also petitioned the CIJWS with similar complaints.

Monday’s complaint to Raj Bhavan had accused the Colonel of playing football outside church buildings during Sunday church services and running up and down the church stairway. He also allegedly moved around the village with guns, machetes and other weapons and terrified residents.

The local group also accused the Colonel of presenting gifts to women after they had made it clear they do not want them and visiting them at odd hours in their shops, workplaces and even homes. He also allegedly often knocked on locals’ doors late in the night and once removed a porch light-bulb.

“Our young men have developed a sense of enmity against him,” the YMA wrote in the letter to Governor Sharma, adding the Colonel’s continued presence might lead to “unwanted commotion breaking out in the village”.

In a statement, Raj Bhavan said on Tuesday that Governor Sharma had immediately called up the CIJWS’ Commanding Officer, Major-General Vivek Sehgal, about the complaint and also summoned Mizoram DGP Thianghlima Pachuau about the matter.