Nurpur Bedi youth was to get married in November

Tribune News Service

Ropar, February 15

A pall of gloom descended on Rauli village in Nurpur Bedi area today when the news of death of 26-year-old Kulwinder Singh in the Pulwama terrorist attack reached his home.

After spending his 10-day leave at home, Kulwinder had left for his place of posting in Srinagar on February 10.

His father Darshan Singh said his only child Kulwinder, a constable in the Central Reserve Police Force, was scheduled to be married on November 8. “During his leave he had started building additional rooms in the house. The last time my son talked to me over phone was on February 12. He had discussed about the arrangements for his marriage,” he said.

He received a phone call regarding the incident from his unit yesterday evening, but was not informed about Kulwinder’s death. “We later received a list of martyrs, which included my son’s name as well,” he added.

As the news of Kulwinder’s death spread, villagers thronged his home to console the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, to pay tribute to the martyrs, the residents of Nurpur Bedi area took out a candlelight march in the town. The Nurpur Bedi panchayat too has decided to observe a shutdown tomorrow to register their protest against the attack.

Students, along with members of Bharat Vikas Parishad, Government Teachers Union, Doon Welfare Society, Jan Adhikari Kalyan Samiti, Nupur Bedi Gram Panchayat, ETT Union, Master Cadre Union, Congress, AAP, SAD and BJP, were among those who participated in the march. Later, they burnt an effigy of Pakistan at the local bus stand.

“Local markets will remain shut tomorrow in protest against the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack,” Nurpur Bedi sarpanch Manjit Kaur announced.