4 months later, family of martyr gets Rs 50 lakh

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, February 25

Nearly four months after its announcement, the Haryana Government today released Rs 50 lakh for martyr Mandeep Singh’s family.

A cheque for Rs 25 lakh was issued in the name of the sepoy’s widow, Prerna, and Rs 12.5 lakh each in the name of his parents, Phool Singh and Nirmala.

Mandeep died during an anti-terror operation near the LoC in the Machil sector of Kupwara in Kashmir on October 28. His mutilated body was found along the LoC.

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Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had announced Rs 50 lakh and a job to the next of kin. The delay in awarding compensation to the family, living at Anteri village was blamed on the Army. Sources denied reports that there was an official assurance on allotting a fuel station or promoting Prerna, a Haryana Police constable, to DSP.

She and other members of the family tried to meet the Prime Minister on Friday to complain about the delay in compensation. She said she refused to accept the compensation in the absence of male members of the family.

“I only want a martyr to be treated with respect,” she said. “The promise of a job for Mandeep’s younger brother should be met soon.”