Nagrota, Nov 15 (KNS): National Conference Provincial President and MLA Nagrota Devender Singh Rana on Wednesday lambasted the Jammu and Kashmir Government for showing disrespect to Martyr Sohanlal Bhagat by not deputing any minister to attend his funeral.
“The brave-heart, son of soil, hailing from Sarah Pargalta, Bajalta in Nagrota Assembly Constituency, , who attained martyrdom in Manipal, deserved heroic send-off for his bravery but the insensitive Jammu and Kashmir government chose otherwise”, Rana said after attending the last rites of the martyr at his ancestral village.
The MLA Nagrota drew contrast to the martyrdom of Assam Rifles jawan Sohanlal Bhagat with his fellow jawan Inder Singh, who too attained martyrdom along with him when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on November 13 at Chandel town in Manipur’s Chandel district, and said the latter was given state funeral by the Himachal Pradesh Government at Mandi. “This is how the martyrs are respected”, he added.
Rana, who along with the relatives and villagers of the martyr Sohan Lal Bhagat, were present when the army escorted his mortal remains to his village last night at 10 PM, expressed anguish that the State Government did not show the minimum courtesy of ensuring the local police presence/escort when the martyr was brought home.
Describing martyrs as pride of the nation, who sacrifice their today for our better tomorrow, Mr Rana condemned the callous attitude of the coalition dispensation in treating the martyrs nonchalantly. He said that martyrs represent the armed forces as well as the governments in the state and the Centre.
Saying that no amount of money can compensate the irreparable human loss, the MLA Nagrota sought immediate ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakhs to the next of kin of martyr Sohan Lal Bhagat, a residential plot and job to one of his family members, as his wife is already working in the J&K Armed Police. He said this is the least the State can do for its brave-heart, hoping that necessary orders will be issues in this regard at the earliest.
The MLA paid tributes to the martyr, expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. (KNS)