The passing-out parade of National Defence Academy’s 104th batch at Khadakvasla was marred by high-tension drama and boycott by mediapersons, protesting the high-handed behaviour by a senior army officer.The incident happened on Saturday morning when lensmen were busy taking photographs of the medals and banner presentation ceremony on the Khetrapal parade ground. An invitee, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen B.M. Kapur, took exception to the presence of lensmen on the parade ground, despite the fact that they had been conducted there by NDA PRO Sq Ldr A. Mittu.As they were returning to the press enclosure, a visibly enraged Kapur came near the platform occupied by the reviewing officer, and started gesticulating angrily towards the lensmen. He pushed and shoved some photographers, and shouted at them, Mittu and his subordinate officer.Kapur repeated the act even as reviewing officer and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lt Gen Gurbaksh Singh Sihota, was preparing for his address to the cadets. Mediapersons responded by boycotting the ceremony.Later, Deputy Commandant of NDA Major General Ivor Satur issued a statement regretting the ‘‘avoidable’’ incident. He described the senior officer’s conduct as an ‘‘instinct of 40 years in service’’.
