Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 14

Thirteen statues of martyrs, mostly Paramvir Chakra and Mahavir Chakra winners, which were installed inside the prominent Jawahar Park in the Cantonment area here, are in a poor state.The park, being maintained by the Jalandhar cantonment Board, (JCB) is one of the biggest and most well-maintained parks in the Army area. Around 300 to 400 people visit the park everyday for their morning and evening stroll.Though all 13 statues were found in an utterly neglected condition, mostly covered with spider webs and birds faeces running all over their faces and body.The worst condition was found to be of the statue of Lt-Colonel AB Tarapore (PVC) of 17 Poona Horse, who sacrificed his life on September 11, 1965, in the Sialkot Sector during India-Pakistan war. The eyes seemed to have been broken, the name plate and headgear were also found to be missing. Though water points have been installed all across the park for the watering of the lawns, it seemed the maintenance staff had forgotten to wash the statues of our bravehearts for years.The statue of Sub Joginder Singh, PVC (Postumous), 1 Sikh, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Tawang sector during the Indo-China War of 1962 on October 23, was installed at the entrance of the park. Even that too was found to be in a dilapidated condition.Not only the statue’s face was found to be covered with dust, both its eyes were also found to be broken. Also, the heads of the statues were found to be without a headgear, contrary to the norms of the statue where the head of a service martyr is either covered with a cap or a turban.Even the history plates, installed below the statues, were found to be covered with birds’ faeces and the focus lights of these statues were found to be missing and broken.Despite making repeated efforts, Jalandhar cantonment CEO Menakshi Lohia could not be contacted. However, Surjit Ram, sanitary superintendent, JCB, putting the entire blame on the Army, said the maintenance part was being looked after the Army only. “Recently, two of the statues were broken by miscreants and we had lodged a report in the police station. We have urged the Army to transfer them to some other pace,” said Surjit Ram.