Siliguri, 18th August: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande arrived at Siliguri today. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista received the officials at the Bagdogra Airport. Later, during a program at the Bengdubi Army Cantonment, the officials met the family members of the soldiers who had been martyred in the tragic Manipur landslide in the month of June this year.
Reportedly, the Defence Minister stated that depending on the rank and years of service of the martyred jawans, each family will be entitled to a financial emolument ranging from Rs 1.32 crores to Rs 1.52 crores.
Acknowledging the officials’ visit, MP Raju Bista in a press release stated that the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and COAS Manoj Pande in the region, and among the grieving family members of the martyred jawans during these difficult times shows the depth of care that the government of India feels towards the family members of the soldiers and the Gorkha community.
MP Raju Bista’s statement read:
Today, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Sh. Rajnath Singh ji, accompanied by Hon’ble Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande ji met with the family members of the brave jawans from our region, who had been martyred in the service of our country, in Manipur recently.
On behalf of the grateful nation, Rajnath ji paid his deepest respects to the martyrs from our Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region.
The tragedy that stuck 107 Bn T.A is unprecedented in the history of the Territorial Army battalion. This is the highest loss of life the battalion has witnessed, during the peace times, and has deeply impacted the people from across our region, as almost every family has someone serving in the Indian Armed forces.
Addressing the family members of the Jawans, Rajnath ji thanked the family members and celebrated the glorious memories of our Amar Jawans. Rajnath ji assured that the Government of India and the Indian Army will do everything in their power to ensure the wellbeing of the family members of our brave jawans. He further informed that depending on the rank and years of service, each family will be entitled to a financial emolument ranging from Rs 1.32 crores to Rs 1.52 crores. He praised the sacrifices and contributions of the Gorkha community in our nation building, and quoted India’s first Field Marshal General Sam Manesksaw “if someone says he is not afraid of dying, either he is lying or he is a Gorkha,” in praising the Gorkha bravery. He thanked the jawans and their family members and assured them of all help possible from the Government’s side.
I in turn discussed with the Chief of the Army Staff Sh. Manoj Pande ji the possibilities of accommodating the family members of our jawans in the Central services. He has assured me that all avenues will be explored to help accommodate the family members of the jawans.
The healing presence of Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Rajnath ji and Hon’ble COAS Manoj Pande ji in our region, and among the grieving family members during these difficult times shows the depth of care that the Govt of India feels towards the family members of our soldiers, and the Gorkha community.
I am confident that their presence in support and solidarity of the jawans and their family members will also go a long way in building the confidence of our jawans who are recovering from the landslide, and act as a morale booster for the entire 107 Bn T.A (11 Gorkha Rifles).