All India Anti-Terrorist Front chairman M S Bitta today alleged the BJP government in Haryana has insulted the family of Army jawan Mandeep Singh, who was killed by terrorists in Macchil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, by delaying monetary compensation and mistreating his widow.
The body of Mandeep Singh was mutilated after he was killed by terrorists in October last year.
Bitta said the ex gratia promised to Mandeep's family was given only in February and the cheque was given through the Red Cross.
Recently, Mandeep's widow, Prerna, a constable at Haryana police posted in Kurukshetra, was suddenly taken off VIP duty when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited there, he said.
"I started a movement against terrorism and have been taking up the cause of martyrs and their families for quite a few years. But, never before have I seen such insult to martyrs like this in Haryana," Bitta told reporters here.
Mandeep's mother Nirmala Devi, wife Prerna and elder brother Sandeep were also present at the press conference.
"Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar may be an honest man, Haryana may be corruption free, but the way the lower rungs in the state administration are insulting martyrs' families, I have never seen this before," Bitta said.
"The government announced Rs 50 lakh ex gratia. The family did not ask for it, but that too was given in February. But first, they were asked to complete several formalities," he said.
Bitta said only yesterday, after seven months, the Haryana government, at a cabinet meeting, decided to give a clerical job to the elder brother of Mandeep.
He, however, praised the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in Punjab, saying the chief minister wasted no time in giving jobs to the armyman, hailing from Tarn Taran, who was beheaded by Pakistani forces recently.
"Prerna is constable in Haryana police. She is an MA. What stops the government from promoting her to the post of Inspector or DSP. We have not come before the media to seek something, but only to highlight the insult which the family has faced," Bitta said.
He also said, "When Union Home minister Rajnath Singh was visiting Kurukshetra a few days back, Prerna was put on VIP duty, but suddenly it was ordered that she be withdrawn from the duty."
"Then, she was asked to report to a police station in Kurukshetra, where she was confined all day till the minster left. She broke down into tears, she was depressed not knowing where her fault lies," Bitta said.
Hitting out at the Haryana government, he said, "I think the CID in Haryana must be tapping the family's telephone lines... It seems they never gave any report to the Chief Minister about the insult the family has faced. Prerna also got threat letters from unkown persons twice."
Bitta also said, "To rub salt to the wounds, a paper came from the defence ministry where Prerna was asked to give an affidavit answering whether she has married again or not. Should such questions be asked at such a sensitive time."
"If the Haryana government insults this family again, we will start a nationwide campaign against them," Bitta said.
Mandeep's mother Nirmala Devi said, "We are poor, but not beggars, we have not been given due respect we deserved."
Prerna said, "I am getting threat letters, if anything happens to us, who will be responsible? My husband fought a dozen terrorists, why has his sacrifice been forgotten?"
About being put off VIP duty, she said before Rajnath Singh's visit the same thing had happened with her when Chief Minister Khattar was visiting Kurukshetra.
"I have never broken any rule during my duties. I perform my duty with full responsibility. I did not break any rule on that day, but I was taken off duty as they thought that I may approach Rajnath Singh with some demands, but I had no intention as I know my duty... When I was taken off duty in that manner, it hurt me, I felt insulted," Prerna said.
"I am not asking for any job, money or promotion. Getting respect is important," she said.
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