Eight jawans charred to death and several others injured at India’s biggest Central Ammunition Depot Pulgaon in Wardha is serious infringement of safety standards as such accidents are a stigma on our country’s defence capabilities. Sabotage too can’t be ruled out and if that is the case, then it is a bigger shame as how can the people of this country be protected when we can’t even guard our ammunition and army personnel. Our jawans life has become too cheap as they not only die at the borders protecting us but now even when there is no attack or war. The media and the people would talk about the sad incident which would be forgotten after a few days until a similar tragedy occurs in the near future. Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar should order a high level inquiry as this is serious infringement which involves the security of the nation. Martyrs family should be compensated so that they can lead a decent life though money can’t lessen their grief. Time for the government to improve safety standards of secret depots which houses secret weapons and ammunition to international standards so that such accidents or sabotage does not recur in future!
S.N. Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
