Page 127 - Leadership in the Indian Army

and Swedish members of the NNRC, who viewed it as a violation of human
rights. If they did not, the Czech and Polish members would accuse them of
not giving adequate protection to the explanation teams. Ultimately, on the

insistence of the Czech and Polish members, who threatened to withdraw if
force was not used, the matter was referred to the Government of India. It
was decided that no force should be used, and that prisoners were to be
given explanations only on request. After the 90-day period for
explanations had expired, the prisoners were handed over by the CFI to the
side which had captured them. The UN Command released its prisoners in
January 1954. The KPVA–CPV Command initially refused to take back the

prisoners, but eventually did so. Their fate was never known.
The CFI returned to India in early 1954. They were seen off by General
Maxwell Taylor and given a guard of honour by the 8th US Army. On their
arrival in Madras, they received a tumultuous welcome. Chief Minister C.
Rajagopalachari and his entire cabinet were at the quay to receive Thorat
and his men when their ship berthed. They left for Delhi by special trains,

which were greeted at every station en route and showered with sweets and
garlands. At Nagpur, the Chief Minister of the state was present with his
ministers. When their train steamed into Delhi they were greeted by a huge
crowd, which included Prime Minister Nehru, at the railway station.
In May 1954, the Custodian Force of India was disbanded and Thorat was
given command of 5 Infantry Division at Jhansi. In 1955, the division was
ordered to move to Ferozepore. The move up to Rohtak was made on foot,

and Thorat marched with the division. They entrained at Rohtak and
proceeded to Ferozepore to join the newly raised 11 Corps. Soon thereafter,
he was promoted Lieutenant General and given command of 11 Corps,
which had its HQ at Jullunder. At the time, 11 Corps was the only strike
force in the Indian Army and Thorat had under his command two infantry
divisions, an armoured brigade and an independent infantry brigade.

During his tenure at Jullunder, Thorat met with two accidents. General
Maxwell Taylor was visiting Delhi and wanted to meet him. Thorat left for
Delhi in his staff car. He had dozed off after lunch when the accident
occurred. He suffered a temporary loss of memory and later it was
discovered that he had also injured his spine. He was in hospital for a
month, and had to wear a plaster for even longer. He was lucky to have
survived—one side of the car had been completely smashed. The second

accident occurred when during an exercise, Thorat, Major General Bahadur