NEW DELHI: A group of ex-servicemen threatened to continue their nationwide protest against the "paltry rise" in the armed forces salaries as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission if their demands for a better pay was not met by the government before August 30.

The veterans also resolved to oppose all political parties that did not support their cause and to vote against them in the forthcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. At a meeting of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), which is spearheading the agitation, it was resolved to "intensify their crusade" to restore status, respect and self-esteem of defense forces personnel, both serving and retired.

The resolution said: "We the 20 million military veterans of India, including family members, unanimously declare that we will continue and intensify IESM movement throughout the country spread over 600 districts till such time all our genuine demands put up in the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister on July 6 this year are met."

The meeting, attended by about 100 veterans from various States, also declared that if positive steps were not taken by August 31 by the government, the veterans would commence "a relay fast for justice" from September 1 to 5 throughout the country, according to the Movement's secretary Maj Gen Satbir Singh.

"We also declare that those representatives of the people, who support our cause, will be duly supported by us and those who do not support will be opposed by us, including all political parties in the elections," the resolution passed at the meeting presided by Lt Gen Guru Bakshi, Vice Admiral Barin Ghose and Air Marshal Virender Puri, said.

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