CM hands over cheque of Rs 1 crore to family of Amritpal Singh
Army: Amritpal Singh died by suicide, no military honours as per rule
The News Freedom
Kotli Kalan(Punjab), October 16
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday handed over a cheque of Rs 1 crore to family of Agniveer Amritpal Singh as mark of respect to the brave warrior who made ultimate sacrifice, while serving the country in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister asserted that the state government would accord the status of a martyr to Amritpal Singh in recognition of his immense contribution to the nation. Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with the parents of the country’s first martyr Agniveer Amritpal Singh, paid tribute to the martyred soldier who sacrificed his life for the nation at the age of 19. He said that the state government stands firmly with the family during this time of grief.
The Chief Minister said that the state government recognises the irreparable loss to the nation and particularly to the martyr’s family. He said that a statue in the memory of the martyr would also be installed in the village. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis have ever inspired the countrymen to sacrifice their lives for sake of country.
Miffed over the army for not giving a guard of honor to martyr Amritpal Singh, the Chief Minister said this act of discrimination will hurt the morale of the army personnel. He said that this step motherly treatment towards a martyred Agniveer is despicable and highly condemnable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Amritpal’s parents had sent their son to selflessly serve the nation, and it is truly unfortunate that his sacrifice, in the line of duty, hasn’t been recognized as that of a martyr, setting a concerning precedent.
The Chief Minister said that it is shameful that for the first time the body of a martyred soldier was brought in a private ambulance which is an insult to a martyr solider. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 60 percent of the country’s budget is for the defense sector, but it is unfortunate that the army has not even provided an ambulance to carry the body of martyr Amritpal Singh.
He said that it is even more unfortunate that the army declared Amritpal’s martyrdom as a suicide, which he said was like rubbing salt into the wounds of the martyr’s family.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Sunday said Agniveer Amritpal Singh committed suicide by shooting himself while on sentry duty and that military honours were not extended to his funeral as deaths arising out of self-inflicted injuries are not given such honours. The White Knight Corps said that since the cause of death was self-inflicted, no guard of honor or military funeral was provided, in accordance with existing policy. The Indian Army offered its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.