Poor condition of martyrs’ graves-Fazilka

Anilehs Mahajan TNN

Asafwala Sadqi Indo-Pak Border (Ferozepur): The country has entered the sixty first year of its freedom, but after seeing the condition of the graveyard in village Sainia it seems that the nation has forgotten those who laid their lives for its security. Most of them Christians belonging to north east and a few Muslims from south India, these heroes lost their lives in 1965 and 71 wars.

The condition is so bad that TOI with the help of a social activist Roshan Lal Jain had to clear up the tablets which read the epitaph of the buried. Graves were littered with mud and cow dungs and were covered with grass. Only three soldiers belonging to 3 Assam Rifles could be identified, rest eight were impossible to be identified. A few kilometres away the memorial for Hindu and Sikh soldiers along with four Muslims of the Horse Riders Regiment (Ashvarohi) is well kept and is one of the tourist attractions. The three tablets identify Sepoy Jong Bhadur, Naik K Talawara and F Hrangziki. They were killed in 1971 war. This unconcern is also creating unrest in the Army as in Punjab most of the families have ties with defence forces and have a major presence in the Indian Army. Meanwhile, Major General (retired) Amarjit Singh Kahlon said it’s time that we should undo the damage done to the national pride. The regiment of these personnel should come up and act, he added. According to the records, in this sector 4 Jat lost 69 soldiers, 15 Rajput lost 70, 3 Assam lost 39 and others 28, out of them names of 10 martyrs are missing. These are the graves of those soldiers.

A few years back local social activists tried to raise the issue but the administration did not encourage them. ‘‘We informed the district administration but nothing has been done yet,’’ said Jain. Former Army Chief General (retired) VP Malik said this is a matter of national shame. “It does not matter where soldier died and what’s his background, citizens of the country should act responsibly and maintain the graves,’’ said the General. In British era there was a war grave commission, but now there is no such provision, Malik added. “It is the responsibility of local administration to maintain the graveyard,” he added.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOICG/2007/08/21/TOICG_2007_8_21_2.pdf