Patna: The decision of the Centre to dissolve all 62 army cantonment boards in the country, including Danapur cantonment, and convert them into exclusive “military stations” has evoked a mixed response from the ex-servicemen and civilians here. The purpose of the Centre’s decision is to discontinue the colonial era cantonment system which has been in vogue since the British period in the country.
Bihar Ex-Servicemen (officers) Association president Col (retd) V K Singh said the Centre took the decision from security point of view. “During the British period, cantonments came up at places away from the civilians. With the passage of time, army and civilians started living together in harmony and peace in the cantonment areas. However, in view of threat perception, the Centre has now decided to convert cantonments into military stations,” he said.
Singh added under the new military station system, while cantonment board will be disbanded, no civilian will be allowed to live or pass through military areas. “The conversion of Danapur cantonment into military station would be a tough task for both the army and the district administration. Danapur SDO office is located in the cantonment area. It will have to be shifted to a safer place in future,” he said.
Col Singh said another difficult task would be shifting private institutions from the military area and building a separate bypass road between Shahpur and Maner. “The existing passage from the Danapur cantonment will not be permissible towards Shahpur and Maner after its conversion into a military station,” he said.
Col (retd) H K Jha said Danapur cantonment, which was established in 1765 by the East India Company, is the second oldest cantonment in the country after Barrackpore in West Bengal. “It has several heritage buildings like churches and famous Ara barrack which had witnessed the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857. It is good that Danapur cantonment will be converted into a military station with absolute control of the army. With the fast growing population of civilians, the Danapur cantonment has become vulnerable from security point of view,” he said.
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A senior journalist with The Times of India, Patna edition, writi...
Read MoreA senior journalist with The Times of India, Patna edition, writing since 1986,
bringing over three decades of dedicated reporting experience. He has
extensively covered the Indian Railways, higher education, defence,
particularly the Indian Army, and rail-related crimes. Beyond these core beats,
he has also reported on key issues related to social developments and reforms.
Whether unpacking a railway budget, examining university reforms or profiling
soldiers on the frontline, remains his main focus of the news reporting.
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