Tearful adieu to martyr in Mansa

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Mansa, June 19

The mortal remains of Sepoy Gurtej Singh, on Friday, were consigned to flames with full military honours at his native village, Birawala Dogra, in Mansa district.

A contingent of the Army reversed their arms and fired gunshots in the air as a mark of respect to the martyr.

After the ‘Antim Ardas’, Gurtej Singh’s father Virsa Singh lit the pyre. The family members, including his mother Parkash Kaur, two elder brothers, were inconsolable. The villagers gathered in large numbers to bid a tearful adieu to the martyr.

Union Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also paid tribute to the martyr.

Harsimrat said: “I salute Gurtej Singh and all our soldiers, who laid down their lives to protect our country in Galwan valley. Their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty shall never be forgotten.”

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Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal also visited the village and paid tribute to the martyr.

Manpreet said: “Four brave sons of Punjab were amongst those valorous soldiers who sacrificed their lives at the border. My deepest condolence to the families of these soldiers who laid down their lives.”

Manpreet Badal also announced ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh and a government job to a family member of Gurtej Singh.

Mansa DC Kulwant Singh, SSP Narinder Bhargav and other officials also paid tribute to the martyr.

Mansa SSP Narinder Bhargav said the sacrifice of this brave son has given a golden name to his parents, his village, his district and his state.

Bhargav ensouled the family members of the martyr, appealed to them to take courage and said: “Though the martyrdom of Sepoy Gurtej Singh is an irreparable loss not only for his family but for the whole country, we are proud of his sacrifice because his martyrdom is very precious and the nation always pays homage to such martyrs by writing their names in the golden pages of history.”

Gurtej Singh was amongst the 20 soldiers, who attained martyrdom while clashing with the China troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh.