New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS): Ex-servicemen, demanding one rank one pension (OROP), were evicted by the police from Jantar Mantar here, ahead of Independence Day on August 15, police officials said on Friday.
"It is a New Delhi Municipal Council drive, assisted by police, where all the protestors are being evicted from Jantar Mantar for security purpose before Independence Day," Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijay Singh told IANS.
The ex-servicemen, however, said they had all the permissions required for the protest.
"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.) told IANS.
A final decision on the agitation will be taken on August 15 as the ex-servicemen hope an announcement may be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on that day, he said.
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.