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The Rediff Interview/

'The missiles are absolutely safe'

The Bharatpur Ammunition Depot is normally out of bounds for most people. Even unauthorised defence personnel have to wait outside as the Defence Security Corps (which guards defence installations across the country) simply refuse to let anyone inside.

But today (May 1) is payday and the civilian employees, local villagers who are employed at the depot, are trickling in to collect their wages. They are being allowed inside, but their bicycles are no longer permitted, which means they must walk to the accounts office. Besides these civilians, only a few defence personnel and the fire tenders that still are plying around are allowed in. No one else!

A few journalists, who were seeking an audience with the officer in-charge, are asked to wait outside until Brigadier P R Batra, commander-in-chief, Rajasthan sub-area, agrees to meet them outside the depot. Excerpts from the Q&A session:

What is the latest situation?

We are in the midst of clearing all the unexploded shells. Six expert teams of army jawans along with the local police are touring the villages. Most of the villages where the shells fell have been identified and most of the shells have been recovered or are in the process of being recovered. The local villagers are also helping the experts track down the shells. We know the location of most of the shells, and villagers are informing us or the local police.

Do the shells pose a danger?

Most of the shells that were blasted away are dummy shells, that is, they do not contain any explosives. According to our estimate there are 40 unexploded shells. The teams combing the villages have experts trained to defuse the dangerous explosive-containing shell. Most such shells have been recovered. The police and others have informed the villagers not to tamper with the shells and the villagers are co-operating.

Can you tell us what happened on April 28?

I would prefer not to comment. A court of inquiry has been set up under a major general (B C Sukhi), which includes three brigadiers and two colonels. This panel will look into the matter comprehensively. It would be premature to say anything now.

How much was the damage caused?

It is difficult to say right now. We have just begun the process of taking stock. There were 49 sheds containing the ammunition and the total capacity, as announced by Defence Minister George Fernandes, was around 30,000 tonnes. It will take some time before we are able to assess the total damage.

Is it true that some missiles were also damaged?

Again I'd like not to comment, but I'll just tell you that the missiles are stored underground and therefore not affected. The missiles are absolutely safe.

Is the army paying compensation to the villagers who were affected by the blast?

This matter is being resolved between the state and central governments. The state government has announced a compensation scheme. We are not directly involved.

The Rediff Interviews

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Bharatpur villagers count their blessings, await compensation

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