Ex-servicemen protest outside the District Magistrate’s office in Haridwar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: RAMESHWAR GAUR

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 2

Ex-servicemen under the aegis of the Dev Bhoomi Poorva Sainik-Ardh Sainik Kalyan Samiti, Haridwar, have urged the state government to allocate space for a war memorial in Haridwar.Samiti president Dinesh Chandra Saklani said a large number of serving and ex-armed forces personnel feel dejected over not having a place to celebrate Independence Day, Vijay Divas and pay tributes to martyrs who laid their life for the country.“Haridwar is home to Roorkee-based Bengal Engineering Group (BEG), which was set up in 1861. Ex-servicemen have felt the need of a war memorial. We are ready to manage the affairs of the war memorial once it is constructed. Pilgrims and tourists will get a patriotic fervour during their visit to Haridwar,” said Saklani.Executive working body chairperson BS Sharma said ex-servicemen did not have a CSD facility in Haridwar but their priority was having a war memorial.“We want our younger generation to know about the contributions of our valiant soldiers. There are dozens of statues in the district named after saints and revered personalities but we don’t have any place to offer tributes to our martyrs. The government should consider our demand and ensure speedy earmarking, allocation of space and construction of the memorial,” Sharma added