20 years on, parents await statue of martyr son in Palampur

Ravinder Sood
Palampur, July 10

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The bedridden parents of Major Sudhir Walia, Ashok Chakra awardee, who had attained martyrdom fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir 20 years ago, are still waiting for the government to install his statue at Palampur.

Then Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, during his visit to Palampur in September 2003, had announced to install a statue of the martyr at Palampur. In 2006, former Chief Minister Virbadhra Singh, during his visit to the martyr’s native village, also promised to the martyr’s father to install the statue. However, no government fulfilled the commitments.

Talking to The Tribune, the martyr’s father, Rulia Ram, said his last wish was to see his son’s statue installed at Palampur. “I am fighting for this cause for the last 20 years. My age and fragile health do not allow me to move anymore. No CM, minister, MLA or senior bureaucrat has paid heed to our demand so far. Sudhir sacrificed his life for the country. Although he was awarded the Ashok Chakra, the state government has failed to recognise his sacrifice and install a statue despite our repeated requests,” he rued.

The aging parents of the martyr are, however, all praise for the Army. “His seniors

and colleagues always stood by us. Gen VP Malik (retd) still call us on a regular basis,” said the martyr’s mother, Rajeshwari Devi.

Major Walia was decorated with the Sena Medal (gallantry) on two occasions for combating militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. In his book ‘From Surprise to Victory’, Gen Malik, who served as the Chief of the Army Staff during the Kargil War, has devoted a full chapter on the braveheart of Palampur, who was his ADC.

During the Kargil War, Major Sudhir’s team had recaptured the Zulu Ridge. After the end of the war on July 26, 1999, the Army was put on high alert to deal with any eventuality. Major Sudhir Walia and his team of commandos were entrusted with the task of busting the militants’ hideouts.

On August 29, 1999, Major Sudhir Walia along with a squad of five commandos was on a mission in the Hafruda forests in Kupwara district of J&K. The squad came across a well-camouflaged hideout having 20-odd terrorists. Major Sudhir alone killed at least six militants, and sustained gunshot wounds. He was airlifted to the Army base hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries en route. He was posthumously honoured with the Ashok Chakra.