MEERUT, Nov. 15 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said soldiers had been forced to fight for their dignity and security under the previous regime. He criticised Opposition parties for questioning military operations and putting the bravery and valour of soldiers under scrutiny. Earlier, after terrorist attacks, governments would consider their responsibility fulfilled by sending dossiers and issuing condemnations, he said. "Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, those responsible for terrorist attacks are being taught a lesson," Yogi said. Speaking at a veterans' reunion ceremony in Meerut, the chief minister referred to an incident involving ex-serviceman Ganesh Kumar Shukla in 2016. Shukla, who had participated in the Kargil War and served for 22 years in the Army's Maha Regiment, was allegedly assaulted by supporters of a political leader after he refused to salute the leader. He alleged that instead of taking action against the accused, the police at the time had registered an FIR against Shukla. He also referred to the 2013 incident involving the last rites of martyr Lance Naik Hemraj Singh, when the family had to stage a protest over the alleged absence of proper administrative arrangements. He also mentioned the murder of Lance Naik Ved Mitra Chaudhary in Meerut in 2015 and an assault on the family of a serving soldier in Etawah in February 2014. Taking a dig at previous governments, Yogi said Meerut, known as the land of the 1857 revolution, had acquired a reputation for vehicle thefts, illegal slaughterhouses, country-made firearms and mafia rule around a decade ago. Sugarcane farmers had struggled to receive payments, while those demanding their dues outside sugar mills were allegedly beaten with batons, he said. Sugar mills faced closures, and farmers suffered from shortages of electricity for irrigation and water in canals, he added. He said Meerut had now acquired a new identity through the manufacturing of sports goods under the ODOP scheme. Sugarcane farmers had received record payments, while free electricity and canal water were being provided to farmers. Connectivity had improved significantly with the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), Meerut Metro, Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Ganga Expressway, he said. The state's first sports university, named after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, was also taking shape in Meerut, he added. Yogi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had outlined five commitments for a developed India during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. These included respecting the country's heritage, freeing the nation from symbols of slavery, honouring the armed forces and ex-servicemen, strengthening unity and promoting civic duties. The long-pending demand for One Rank, One Pension had been fulfilled, the National War Memorial had been established and the defence budget had been increased, he said. The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff had strengthened coordination among the three armed forces. India's defence exports had increased 55 times compared to 2013-14, reaching approximately Rs.38,000 crore, he said. The chief minister said the ex gratia compensation provided to families of martyred soldiers had been increased from Rs.20 lakh to Rs.50 lakh. So far, 150 families of martyrs had received financial assistance totalling Rs.59.50 crore, he added. A system for providing government jobs to dependants of martyred soldiers had been in place since 2018. The state had also established 200 memorials, 61 commemorative gateways and 78 statues in honour of soldiers who had laid down their lives for the country. Thirty-one schools, 48 roads and three stadiums had been named after martyrs, he said. Ex-servicemen of the Second World War and their wives were being provided a monthly pension of Rs.6,000. Brave widows and parents of Kargil martyrs were also receiving pensions. The annual financial assistance for disabled soldiers from UP undergoing treatment at paraplegic centres had been increased to Rs.1.5 lakh, he said. On employment opportunities for ex-servicemen, Yogi said 5% reservation had been implemented for them in Group B government posts....