Rs 5 lakh for martyr’s kin

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 1

Tributes were paid to Lance Naik Gurmail Singh during his bhog and antim ardas ceremony at his native village, Alkare, in the district today.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s chief adviser Tejinder Singh Shergill gave Rs 5 lakh to the bereaved family as ex gratia grant and paid homage on behalf of the state government. He promised to provide a government job to Gurmail’s kin. He said he would urge the government to upgrade the village school and name it after the martyr.

Gurmail was killed in the Keri sector along the Line of Control in Rajouri district after Pakistani troops violated ceasefire on December 23. Col Amarbir Singh Chahal, Deputy Director, Social Security and Welfare, said the Centre would pay around Rs 90 lakh to Gurmail’s family, while the state would give Rs 12 lakh and a government job. The Sainik Welfare Department contributed Rs 25,000. His Army division gave Rs 1 lakh to the martyr’s kin as immediate relief.

The political leaders present included ex-minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Bhagwant Singh Sachhar, Sawinder Singh Kathunangal, Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli Majithia and Veer Singh Lopoke. Majithia demanded Rs 1 crore as compensation for Gurmail Singh’s family and a government job to a family member.

Gurmail, who was the breadwinner of the family, is survived by wife Kuljit Kaur and daughter Vipindeep Kaur (8). He has also left behind father Tarsem Singh, mother Gurmeet Kaur, younger brother Harpeet Singh and sister Daljit Kaur.

Gurmail had joined the armed forces around 14 years ago. Over a month ago, he had visited his village.