‘Two days ago, he told me over phone he’s coming home on May 1’
KARNAL: The family members of slain Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable Ram Mehar Sandhu, who was among the 25 jawans killed in a Maoist attack at Sukma in Chhattisgarh, has urged the government to give a free hand to the army to deal with Maoists.
“The government is responsible for the deaths of the jawans. If the government gives free hand to the army, they can eliminate all Maoists in one day,” said 72-year-old Puran Chand, father of Ram Mehar. “An attack on the border is a different issue, but security men are being killed inside our country. The government should take this issue seriously. It has so far failed to do anything to save our jawans,” he added.
Thousands of people gathered at Ram Mehar’s house in Kheri Man Singh village of Karnal district, but they do not know when the body of the martyr will reach the village. Ram Mehar, 41, had joined the CRPF 19 years ago and was scheduled to retire in May next year. “Two days ago, Ram talked to me over phone and said that he will come to the village on May 1 and his leave has been approved. We didn’t know that we will never be able to see him,” martyr’s cousin Satish Kumar told HT.
Ram Mehar is survived by his wife Poonam and two children. His father owns 7 acres of agricultural land in the village and this is the only source of income of the family.
The martyr’s son is studying in Class 12 and daughter in Class 8. According to the family members, they received a call around 11 pm on Monday night wherein they were informed about his death. Soon after the news of his death, people started gathering at their house. However, the family members are not aware when the body of the martyr will reach the village.