Martyr Suresh Kumar

Our Correspondent

Kangra, July 15

The state government is committed to help the families of the martyrs who lay down their lives for the safety and security of the nation.Stating this here yesterday, Kangra Deputy Commissioner CP Verma said on compassionate grounds the state government had decided to pay Rs 20 lakh to the family of Suresh Kumar of the CRPF, who attained martyrdom at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 this year.The Deputy Commissioner said he would visit the martyr’s family at Sunni village in Nagrota Bagwan and will hand over a cheque for Rs 20 lakh to his family. He said the district administration was also at the beck and call of the families of martyrs.The story, “Sacrifice of martyr being ignored: Kin”, was carried in these columns on June 8. It highlighted that the family of martyr Suresh Kumar had alleged disparity by the state government and politicians who ignored his great sacrifice.Martyr Suresh Kumar, who was attached to 219 Battalion of the CRPF, popularly known as Cobra Battalion, was part of the patrolling party for road opening at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 when Maoists attacked them and he died while fighting the Maoists. He is survived by his 27-year-old wife Neena Devi, a year-old daughter Navya and his aged parents.Suresh was the only bread-earner for his , which is not economically well-off.The Deputy Commissioner presented a cheque for Rs 1.50 lakh to the family on the day of cremation. Mast Ram, father of the martyr, was anguished and pained to see disparity between martyrs of the same CRPF force, who attained martyrdom under same circumstances and at the same situation and location.Mast Ram, 65, alleged his son was given Rs 1.5 lakh as ex gratia financial support whereas the state government gave Rs 20 lakh each to Surender Kumar of Nehar Chowk and Sanjay Kumar of Nagri Chachian of 74 Battalion of CRPF who too attained the martyrdom at Sukma on April 24 this year under the same circumstances.Yesterday, his demand was accepted by the state government.Killed in Sukma attackMartyr Suresh Kumar, who was attached to 219 Battalion of the CRPF, popularly known as Cobra Battalion, was part of the patrolling party for road opening at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 when Maoists attacked them and he died while fighting the Maoists.