Kumar Rajiv Nayan
Ara: Mortal remains of Havildar Ashok Singh were consigned to flames on Tuesday at his native village Raktu Tola under Piro police station in Bhojpur district with full state honour amidst tears, sorrow and raising of slogans against Pakistan. Industries, Science and Technology minister Jai Kumar Singh, Bhojpur DM Birendra Prasad Yadav, SP Kshatranil Singh, some army officers from Danapur and other officials of Bhojpur district were also present on the occasion.
Ashok’s elder son Vikas, who has joined 15 Bihar Regiment and is undergoing training at Danapur, performed the last rites of his father while his younger son Vishal and two nephews: Binod Kumar and Dadan Kumar, who are also in the Indian army, were also present. As Vikas lit the funeral pyre, people present there started crying and raised slogans ‘Ashok Singh Amar Rahe’, ‘1,700 for 17’. A Guard of honour was also given to the departed soul.
As the body of martyr Ashok Singh wrapped in tri-colour reached his native village Raktu Tola on Tuesday from Varanasi, the atmosphere was surcharged with emotion and wailing of family members, relatives and also the neighbours rent the air. Ashok’s Rajmuna Devi and wife Sangeeta were lying on the floor of their house unconscious. The villagers were, however, proud Ashok who lost his life for the country while sleeping at Uri base camp in J&K in the wee hour on September 18 along with 16 other army.
Ashok Singh of 6 Bihar Regiment, who was killed by the Pakistani terrorists at Uri base camp of army in J&K, was to retire from the military service in 2018. He was third son of Jagnarain Singh of Raktu Tola under Piro Police Station and had joined army in 1992 in the 6th Bihar Regiment and at present was posted at Uri military base camp. His elder brother Kamta Sigh, who joined the 15th Bihar Regiment, was killed in 1986 at Rajasthan.
Ashok Singh has two sons. The elder son Vikas is also in the 15th Bihar Regiment while the younger Vishal wishes to join army with the intention to take revenge of his father’s murder. Ashok Singh’s elder brother Kamta Singh, who had sacrificed himself, had also two sons and both are in the Indian army. His elder son Binod Singh is in the 6th Bihar Regiment and posted at Hyderabad while the younger one is in the 4th Bihar Regiment posted in Doda in J&K. After the death of Kamta Singh, his second brother, Jai Singh became hermit while his youngest brother Sanjay Singh is employed in a private company at Haryana.
Sangeeta Devi, wife of Ashok Singh, said that the Indian government should order march to Pakistan and demanded head of Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif.
Jagnarain Singh, who lost his both the eyes after the death of his elder son Kamta Singh in 1986, said that Ashok Singh was sweet natured and was very interested in military service since his childhood. Having a good physique, he was selected for army service immediately. He said that the family members got the information of his martyrdom from an electronic channel. Ashok Singh had talked to his wife Sangeeta Devi . The inconsolable Sangeeta said that country should take revenge of this cowardice act of Pakistan.
Vishal, younger son of Ashok, said that it does not matter whether the government announced compensation or not, they want revenge. The villagers said that this was the second supreme sacrifice made by Jagnarain family as Kamta Singh too was killed in terrorist attack in Rajasthan in 1986.
Sangeeta Devi first refused to accept a cheque of Rs lakh from the minister and said that her husband was not a beggar. She said if the government allowed armymen of Bihar Regiment would wipe out Pakistan from the map of the world. After much persuasion from the officials, army officers, Sangeeta accepted the cheque.