Army 'Sahayak' row: Jawan's kin to seek proper probe

KOLLAM: The mortal remains of Army man who was found dead at abandoned barracks in Nasik in Maharashtra will be brought to his hometown in Ezhukone here by Saturday morning. Roy Mathew, 33, of Cherukulathu Veedu at Karuvelil in Ezhukone who had gone missing since February 25, was found dead near the army camp on Thursday. Roy had earlier complained against mistreatment in the Army camp and went missing mysteriously.

“We got information that his body will be brought to the Thiruvananthapuram airport by 8.30 in the morning. Through media we came to know that the Army stated that he had committed suicide under mental trauma. We are not sure of this argument. However, after he had revealed about the mistreatments in the camp, he feared for his life. We will discuss with family members later to finalise on whether to move legally once his autopsy report is out,” John Mathew, Roy’s brother, told this newspaper.  Roy Mathew had joined the Indian Army about 13 years back and was working as an Artillery Gunner with the Rocket regiment 214 in Nasik camp for one year.

According to his relatives, Roy had contacted his wife Fini Roy for the last time on February 25 after which he went missing. According to his wife, Roy said he had some “issues” at his workplace and was crying over phone. The issues started as three Army men with the camp including Roy Mathew had given statements to a local channel there that the higher officials mistreat them inside the camp, even forcing them to polish their shoes and wash the laundry. The visuals were taken in hidden camera and were aired with their faces masked. However, this was found out by the senior officers, allege the relatives of Roy Mathew.