Pointing out that in most cases information from locals pertaining to the movement of suspicious persons wearing military pattern clothes and carrying haversacks turned out to be misleading and caused inconvenience to the people at large, the Army has advised police personnel and civilians to refrain from using such attire.
Thanking the public for providing information and keeping vigil at village level, the Army authorities said the Army and the police kept getting information about suspicious activities of persons and search operations thereon were inescapable to ensure safety and security.
An advisory issued by the Western Command asked private security agencies, police, central forces and civilians not to wear combat pattern dresses as these might lead to false alarms. It also asked relatives of armed forces personnel and ex-servicemen not to use items of military uniform that they might be having.
It said shopkeepers should not sell combat-pattern cloth, uniforms or Army equipment as it was illegal. It has requested the police and the civil administration to crackdown on those indulging in such activities. The Army has also exhorted the youth to use social media to spread awareness and start a campaign to prevent Army uniforms and equipment being used as a fashion statement.
