Punjab CM Channi pays homage to Naik Mandeep Singh

Gurdaspur, October 20

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi paid homage to Naik Mandeep Singh on the occasion of the ‘bhog’ of the martyred Army man at Chatha village today.

Mandeep was killed in a gunfight with insurgents in J&K last week. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh, Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and senior officials of the district administration were present on the occasion.

The state government had announced it would pay Rs 50 lakh to the deceased’s family, of which Rs 5 lakh was handed over by the CM to Mandeep Kaur, the deceased’s wife, today. “The remaining amount will be handed over once we receive the mandatory ‘Battle Casualty Certificate’ from the Army. Hopefully, this won’t be a long process and we hope to receive the same within 15 days or so,” said Mohammad Ishfaq, Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner.

Children of battle casualties are entitled to 100 per cent reimbursement of tuition and hostel fees till graduation anywhere in India. Tript Bajwa, in whose Assembly segment village Chatha falls, said the Punjab Government would construct a stadium in the name of Mandeep Singh.

“A memorial gate will also be built in the village. The name of the government school will be changed to commemorate the soldier’s memory. Naik Mandeep Singh’s story should be written in golden letters. His mother Manjit Kaur just told me that she will ensure Mandeep’s son serves the country by joining the Army when he grows up. This is true nationalism and courage,” said Bajwa. — TNS