Martyr’s kin wait for regular water supply

Palampur, August 24

The family of soldier Arvind Kumar who laid down his life fighting militants is yet to get regular water supply, besides other things promised by the state government a year ago.

Arvind Kumar (33) made the supreme sacrifice during an anti-insurgency operation in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on May 4 last year.

A Tribune team visited Arvind’s family at their native village Suri Mahroon, 15 km from Palampur. Arvind’s parents Ujjwal Singh and Nirmala Devi couldn’t control their tears as they spoke about their son. A call from the Army headquarters on May 4, informing them of their son’s martyrdom in Kashmir left the entire family shattered as Arvind was the sole breadwinner.

Nirmala Devi said at the cremation, six MLAs, along with two state Cabinet ministers, visited the family and made a number of promises like a regular water connection to them, a cemented road to the house, a memorial at the village and naming the Senior Secondary School, Daroh, where Arvind had done his schooling after him. Even as more than a year has passed, not a single promise has been fulfilled by the government.

She said at present the family had no water supply and they were making do with rain water. Taps installed by the Irrigation and Public Health Department in the village had gone dry long back, she added.

The state government had failed to recognise the supreme sacrifice made by their son, which is evident from the fact that in the past one year, no one from the state government had come to meet the family and express their support, she lamented.

“All we have got are condolence letters from the Governor, Chief Minister and ministers. No one has cared to contact us in the past one year,” said the mother.

Arvind had joined the Army 15 years ago and was posted in 9-Para Commando unit of the Army. Arvind is survived by his wife Bindu and two daughters.