Suresh Kumar

Our correspondent

Kangra, June 7

The family of Suresh Kumar (32), who attained martyrdom at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 this year while being part of the patrolling party, accused the state government and politicians of ignoring his great sacrifice.Martyr’s father Mast Ram (65) today said his son was serving in the CRPF 219 Battalion, popularly known as Cobra Battalion, and was part of the patrolling party for road opening at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 at 10.30 am, when the Maoists attacked them. He said Suresh left behind his 27-year-old wife Neena Devi, a year old daughter Navya and his old parents.Suresh was the only bread-earner for his family, which is not economically well-off. The mortal remains of Suresh were consigned to flames with state honour at his native village in Sunni and DC Kangra CP Verma gave a cheque of Rs1.50 lakh to the family. Mast Ram said he feels anguished why there was disparity between martyrs of the same CRPF, who attained martyrdom under the same circumstances.He said they were given Rs1.5 lakh as ex gratia, whereas the state government gave Rs20 lakh each to Surender Kumar of Ner Chowk and Sanjay Kumar of Nagri Chachian of 74 Battalion of the CRPF, who too attained the martyrdom at Sukma on April 24 this year.Mast Ram said even politicians did not even visit them. He said only Transport Minister GS Bali visited the family. He said he was happy that Speaker BBL Butail, former Chief Ministers PK Dhumal and Shanta Kumar visited Sanjay Kumar’s family and even Union Minister JP Nadda visited Surender Kumar’s family at Ner Chowk, but none of them remembered my son.