Projects in martyrs’ memory on paper

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, February 23

Martyrs’ projects are facing neglect in the state as subsequent governments in the past 20 years have failed to fulfil their promises. Many projects are still on paper.

The state has the highest number of soldiers in the armed forces. Frequently, soldiers have died fighting for the country in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country in different militancy operations. In the past 10 years, the state lost 79 soldiers while fighting militants. The number of casualties in different operations from the state has crossed 1,250, which is the highest as compared to other states.

In operations Parakram, Rakshak and Vijay, the state lost 85, 54 and 174 jawans, respectively. Kangra, Hamirpur and Mandi districts top the list as hundreds of jawans were killed in various operations in Jammu Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Northeastern states.

It is unfortunate that most of the projects named in the memory of soldiers killed in the Kargil war and militancy operations have been left halfway by the governments either for want of funds or other reasons. Statues of martyrs installed in many parts of the district are in a state of neglect. Though the district administrations time and again promised with the families of the martyrs that the statutes would be renovated or new statutes installed, all promises have been confined to files.

Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had promised to name Aima village as Saurabh Nagar, the native village of Capt Saurabh Kalia, who sacrificed his life in the Kargil war, but the government failed to fulfil its commitment.

Rulia Ram Walia, father of Maj Sudheer Walia, who had attained martyrdom while fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir, is moving from pillar to post for the past 20 years for the installation of a statue of his son in Palampur or his native village but the bureaucracy of the state is unmoved.

Rulia Ram has met the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs, Deputy Commissioners and other senior dignitaries of the government, but all in vain.

He also announced returning his son’s gallantry awards, including Ashok Chakra, but even after a year, no land has been earmarked for the statue.