Rs 50L ex gratia, government job for kin of Hoshiarpur sepoy Manjit Singh killed in Rajouri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/Hoshiarpur, Oct 31

Chief Minister Charanjit Channi today announced ex gratia of Rs 50 lakh and a government job to a member of the family of Sepoy Manjit Singh, who was killed in a landmine explosion during patrolling near the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday.

Extending his sympathies, the CM said Manjit’s utmost dedication to defend the country’s unity and integrity by sacrificing his life would ever inspire his fellow soldiers to perform their duties with far more devotion and commitment. Manjit of 17 Sikh Light Infantry hailed from Khera Kotli village in Dasuya tehsil of Hoshiarpur district. He was unmarried and is survived by his parents, four sisters and a brother.

Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on his native village. His brother Avtar Singh said Majit, 25, was the youngest of the six siblings. “He had joined the Army six years ago. Though I am saddened by his sudden demise, I am proud that he died while serving the country. I spoke to him two days ago and he had said that he would come home for Diwali. He was to attend a friend’s wedding on November 10, but who knew he would come home draped in the Tricolour,” Avtar said.

Former village sarpanch Jagmohan Singh Babbu Ghumman said: “We want the government to rename the village school after Manjit.”

Dasuya SDM Ramandeep Singh Heer said the mortal remains of the martyr had reached Jammu from Rajouri in the evening and would be brought to the village tomorrow morning. “His last rites will be performed with full military honours,” he said.

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