Sanjha Morcha

WW-II soldier’s family awaits his ashes

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, October 14

The family of sepoy Palu Ram of Nagathla village, who went missing during World War II in Italy fighting the German army, was taken by surprise when the Indian Army broke the news about the recovery of his mortal remains.

The reports said Palu Ram was 19 years old and unmarried when he took part in the war. He participated as a soldier of the 4th Battalion of the 13th Frontier Force Rifles, which was under the British Indian Army, in 1944.

He went missing on September 13, 1944, fighting the German Infantry division at Poggio Alto in Italy.

Leelu Ram, a villager, said that it was a big surprise when the Army authorities approached him to inquire about Palu Ram’s family.

“After some inquiry, I came to know that his family is still live in the village. He is related to the family of Ramji Lal, a farmers’ family in the village. It was also news for his own family,” he said.

He said Palu Ram was one of the two sons of Pat Ram, Moji Ram being the other one. While the unmarried Palu Ram, who joined the British Army, went missing, his brother Moji Ram had two sons — Kana Ram and Ramji Lal.

Kana Ram has died. The family members of Kana Ram and Ramji Lal are marginal farmers.

Ramesh, grandson of Moji Ram, said that the Army contacted him on the basis of the pension records of Palu Ram. “My great grandfather Pat Ram had been getting pension for Palu Ram after he went missing in action. In fact, my grandfather Moji Ram too died early. My great grandfather Pat Ram brought up my father Ramji Lal and uncle Kana Ram,” he said.

“We are feeling relieved that the last rites of the mortal remains will be performed after 74 years of his demise. We will be able to immerse his ashes as per our religious rites. We are proud that our ancestor participated in World War II,” Ramesh said.

Reports had said that in 1996, human bones were found in Poggio Alto. The Italian authorities in 2010 began investigations to identify the remains. The DNA tests in 2012 revealed that the remains belonged to non-European adults aged 20-21 years who were later identified as Palu Ram of Nangthala and Hari Singh of Rohtak.

The last rites would be performed at Girone monumental cemetery in Florence, Italy, the Indian Army is reported to have decided.