Karnal braveheart’s family seeks free hand for security forces

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, April 25

Gloom and anger prevailed in Kheri Man Singh, the native village of CRPF constable Ram Mehar (40) who was killed in the Naxalite attack in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district yesterday. The martyr will be cremated at his native village tomorrow.

Mehar was posted in Chhattisgarh for the past two years and he was to retire in May next year.

The bereaved family members accused the government of not taking stringent action to stop such incidents and demanded a free hand for the security forces.

Mehar joined the security force nearly 19 years ago and he got married to Poonam Rani in 2000 and they had two children. His son Rohit is studying in Class XII and daughter Ravisha is in Class IX. Poonam along with her children is living with her father in Bhadur Chand Colony here.

Puran Singh, father of the martyr, said: “The government is responsible for such incidents and it should take strict action against the Naxalites so that they can learn a lesson. The security forces should also take action against the villagers who shielded the Naxalites.”

“Enemies hiding within the country have been killing our soldiers and the government is not doing anything,” he alleged.

Proud of the martyrdom of Ram Mehar, his father-in-law Prem Singh said that they were proud of Mehar who laid down his life for the country, but the government should take strict action against the anti-national forces. The mortal remains of the martyr are expected to reach the village late in the evening.

Minister of State for Food and Supplies Karan Dev Kamboj reached the martyr’s house and expressed grief.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, while interacting with mediapersons here, condemned the attack and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members. He described the incident as an act of cowardice. He said that last rites of both the martyrs from Haryana would be performed with full state honours. He also announced to give an ex gratia of Rs 50 lakh each to next of kin of both the martyrs.