Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14: Peeved over the J&K Government showing empty coffers to the next of kin of the State martyrs who had sacrificed their ‘today’ for our ‘tomorrow’, NPP leader Harsh Dev Singh insisted that instead of doling premium to the anti-nationals and subversives in the Valley, the BJP-PDP Govt should announce a policy with adequate ex-gratia for the families of the martyrs as a tribute to them on the eve of Independence Day.
Expressing serious concern over the humiliation of the martyrs in the State, Harsh Dev revealed that while the martyrs of other States were honoured and adequately paid the ex-gratia by the respective State Governments, the present Govt most contemptuously refused to pay compensation to the sons of the soil who laid down their lives for the motherland.
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Recalling the supreme sacrifice of 11 warriors, all hailing from Jammu region who attained supreme sacrifice during Kargil War in 1999, he rued that the State Government was yet to take the cognizance of the war heroes whose families deserved ex-gratia and other benefits with dignity and honour on priority. He further reminisced the highest sacrifices of several warriors of the State including Lt. Umar Fayaz martyred in South Kashmir in May 2017, Lance Naik Mohd. Naseer who was martyred during cross border firing in Poonch in July 2017, Capt. Tushar Mahajan of Udhampur who was martyred in Kashmir in 2016, Subedar Karnail Singh of Bishnah and Haveldar Ravi Paul of Samba who attained martyrdom in Uri attack in 2016, six martyrs of 6 Dogra Regiment who attained supreme sacrifice in Manipur ambush in 2015,Naik Mool Raj of Jakh who attained martyrdom while fighting Pak militants in Pathankot, Constable Santosh Singh and Constable Azad Chand who were killed in 2013 Handwara terror attack besides others.
Taking a pot shot at the State dispensation and BJP in particular for its treacherous character, Singh regretted that while State of haryana which was being ruled by the BJP paid Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia and promised other hefty benefits to Sepoy Mandeep Singh whose body was mutilated by the militants in Kashmir last year but unlike other States, the BJP in J&K along with its ally PDP persistently disparaged the martyrs and glorified the militants only to tow the secessionist agenda for remaining glued to power.
Harsh Dev said that BJP which was already exposed for its demagoguery and cowardly surrenders owed an explanation to the people for remaining mute on the issue of martyrs.
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