Freedom fighter cremated with state honours in Hisar village

Freedom fighter Sardar Baj Singh, a resident of Beed Babran in Hisar district, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday. He was 104.

The mortal remains of the freedom fighter were cremated with state honours in his native village. District administration officer Jagdish Singh laid the wreath on behalf of the district administration. A number of officials, and people from different walks of lives paid tributes and joined the funeral procession.

His son, Kulbeer Sohal said his father was taken ill four days ago and was admitted to a private hospital. After being discharged, his condition deteriorated again on Sunday. He was again taken to the hospital where he breathed his last. Sohal said his father was born in Sohal of Amritsar in Punjab. Sardar Baj Singh actively participated in the freedom movement and particularly opposed the British-imposed one-rupee per acre tax on farmers. His involvement in protests in Lahore led to the successful revocation of the unjust tax by the British authorities, he said.

After Independence, Sardar Baj Singh was granted 12 acres in Beed Babran by former Chief Minister of Punjab Pratap Singh Kairon in recognition of his services.

The ceremony was attended by Uklana MLA Naresh Selwal, BJP district president Ashok Saini, advocate Lal Bahadur Khowal and others.