New Delhi: Government today allowed ex-servicemen to continue their protest at Jantar Mantar over One Rank One Pension (OROP).
Earlier, the government tried to evict them from the site this morning in view of tomorrow's Independence Day celebration.
The protesting ex-servicemen had refused to budge saying they are having all the permissions required for the protest.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijay Singh said that it is a New Delhi Municipal Council drive and police is only assisting.
"All the protestors are being evicted from Jantar Mantar for security purpose before Independence Day," Singh said.
On the other hand, protesters said that they will not leave the protest site till their demands are met.
"We have the permission needed to hold the protest and have been protesting peacefully. This is just an attempt to get rid of us, as they don't have an answer to our demands," United Front of Ex-Servicemen spokesperson Col. Anil Kaul (retd.) said.
"A final decision on continuing the agitation will be taken on August 15 as the ex-servicemen hope an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on that day," he said.
On Thursday, the retired servicemen outrightly rejected the latest proposal on One Rank One Pension offered by the Narendra Modi government. They have made it clear that they do not want any change and do not want the OROP to be diluted. The veterans want OROP to be implemented in letter and spirit as approved by Parliament.
With OROP, retired personnel would draw the same pension as officers and soldiers of the same rank who are retiring now.
The OROP will benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen. It is expected to cost the government around Rs 8,500 crore.
A section of the former soldiers has been staging a relay hunger strike on the issue here since June 15.
