PM downplays trouble in army camp in J-K

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today downplayed the reported trouble involving jawans and officers in an army unit in Samba sector in Jammu and Kashmir saying a "small incident" was being blown out of proportion.

Singh`s response came in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour after CPI-M members referred to yesterday`s incident saying there was breach of discipline in the military camp in the border district after a soldier had committed suicide.

The members were talking about the reported slogan-shouting by the jawans against officers after the suicide.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said, "It`s a serious matter. Let the Defence Minister respond."

As Defence Minister A K Antony was not present, the Prime Minister rose to respond and said, "I request the House not to have a discussion on the subject...This is a very small incident. This is a small incident, which is being blown out of proportion. It is not good for the morale of our armed forces."

The members relented after the Prime Minister spoke. The incident was reportedly triggered when the jawan, Arun V, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram, shot himself with his service rifle in the camp of the 16th Light Cavalry at Samba in the morning. He died on the spot.