More than 2500 Army deserters receive discharge during first four days of Amnesty period

A total of 2882 Army deserters including two officers obtained official discharge during the first four days of the Amnesty period from April 22 - May 10.

The Amnesty period was declared to facilitate the discharge of all Army Officers who are
absent without leave (AWOL) for more than 21 days, and to provide an opportunity for those who are willing to rejoin the Army after their absence of over six months.

Army absentees under four categories will be entitled to formally discharge themselves from their services during this period.

The four categories are as follows :

Category One : Long term absentees who do not owe money to the Army or are not implicated in any legal matter.

Category Two : Those who have no legal obligations and are capable of settling their loans to the Army Benevolent Fund, Suwa Sahana Fund and Compulsory Savings Fund or through the guarantors or relatives.

Category Three : Absentees without any legal issues or any loans to the Army / whose loans to the Army Benevolent Fund, Suwa Sahana Fund and Compulsory Savings Fund could be settled either from the guarantors or the relatives.

Category Four :  Absentees who have been charged for indiscipline or accused of other malpractices or criminal acts could receive a discharge in accordance with existing Army legal procedures and regulations.

Issuing an announcement, the Army Headquarters announced that all items obtained from the quartermaster by the absentees and any of their involvement in non-Army related civil court cases, will not be considered under all four categories.

Meanwhile, all those absent for more than six months from service but are still willing to rejoin, will be considered for reinstatement if requested so.

Individuals wanting to discharge themselves  could do so by reaching their respective Regimental Headquarters either in person or by communication.

Those intending to use the facility should carry the Army Identity Card (if available), National Identity Card, documents related to injuries sustained in terrorist attacks, etc before such discharge is obtained.