Army chief vouches welfare of martyrs’ kin, widow differs

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday said martyrs’ families are responsibility of his force and they will be also taken care by the army and the government.

Rawat was addressing a meeting after unveiling the memorial of martyr Dharma Ram at his village, Taratara, in Bamer.

However, family members of Ram are not on the same page, saying they are a neglected lot. They said these ceremonies are merely photo opportunity for others. Dharma Ram laid down his life while fighting militants in Jammu & Kashmir on May 25, 2015. He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.

The memorial has been constructed by the residents of the village. After reaching the village, Rawat unveiled the statue and paid tribute to Ram. Rawat said that martyr Dharma Ram fought till his last breathe.

Ram is survived by his 75-year-old mother, wife Timo Devi and two children Rajeswari (5) and Harish (2).

Devi alleged after her husband’s martyrdom, she has received several assurances for help from leaders and the government. Nothing has happened so far. “Till date, we are deprived of basic facilities,” she said.

The widow said there is no road connectivity to her village . She added that they are forced to buy water as there is a shortage of drinking water. Devi said she was also assured a job. She added she has a B.Ed degree but no job.

She said that she has recently appeared for a competition exam and hopes to land a job on her merit so that she can ensure her family’s survival.

Rawat, however, claimed that the martyr’s family has received all due benefits.

Apart from Rawat, Lt Gen Dewan Rabindranath Soni, General Officer Commanding-inChief, Southern Command and Lieutenant General RK Jagga, General Officer Commanding, Konark Corps also attended the unveiling of the memorial.

Rawat, who is on a two-day visit to Barmer, will also oversee the army’s preparedness while attending an ongoing military exercise ‘Hamesha Vijayee’ on Friday.

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