The Bermuda Regiment has denied allegations of using press-gang tactics on conscripted recruits who have failed to show up for duty.

An investigation into the issue was launched last week after a woman contacted The Royal Gazette alleging that one absentee was accosted by regiment regulars.

The complainant said she saw six soldiers push a young man to the ground outside the Chancery Wine Bar, handcuff him, drag him to a nearby truck and throw him in.

And other eye-witnesses said they saw troops of Regiment Police parading through Hamilton, snatching up young men who had failed to show up for Boot Camp.

But the Regiment's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel David Gibbons refuted claims of brutality and contested facts about the incident.

Lt. Col. Gibbons said the young man who was apprehended was a long time absentee, missing since last May with outstanding fines and extra duties.

"I have no intention of tolerating anything like that,'' Lt. Col. Gibbons said.

An official Regiment report said only two uniformed soldiers were at the scene -- the other four were in civilian dress.

Regiment dismisses allegations And a source within the Bermuda Regiment said man-handling recruits and man-handling soldiers on the street are "apples and oranges''.

"When the recruits come in, they haven't done anything wrong -- and we're not going to instigate anything. Hence (the) quote of man-handling.'' said the source.

The source also said Regimental Police are authorised to carry out arrests and if they did such a thing, it was out of necessity.

"What that lady probably didn't see was when the RPs (Regimental Police) approached that guy in the restaurant. She probably only saw a small part.

"She needs to be aware we're talking about apples and oranges here.'' The source insisted RPs approach suspected Regiment "runners'', or those who missed duty nights before carrying out an arrest.

Suspects often run or curse out the RPs, said the source, and a certain amount of force is needed to detain the military offender.

Of the 103 recruits called up to join the regiment's ranks earlier this month, 13 failed to report for duty.

The Bermuda Regiment's new "no man-handling'' approach was announced by Regiment Training Officer Major Brian Gonsalves who last week said: "The days of man-handling are over. It's mind over matter. In your face but no more of that man-handling.''