Punjab speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan seeks ‘appropriate recognition' for slain agniveer
Bathinda: In a tribute to agniveer Akashdeep Singh, Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan mentioned that the Faridkot district administration and the Punjab chief secretary are in contact with
to ensure the slain soldier received appropriate recognition.
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Addressing mourners at the bhog of Akashdeep, Sandhwan expressed hope for a swift resolution. Akashdeep, 22, died in Jammu due to a bullet injury on May 14. His mother, Karamjit Kaur, and father Balwinder Singh were so upset with the central and state govts that they refused to immerse his ashes until the govt recognised him as a "martyr" by providing due honours. Though the family made this demand, the ministry of defence does not recognise the word martyr and sees a soldier who died in the battlefield as a "battle casualty".
The family, also voicing opposition to the Agnipath Scheme, demanded its cancellation, stating that because Akashdeep was an agniveer, no honour as per past protocol was accorded during the cremation of his mortal remains.
Hailing from Kothe Chahal village near Kotkapura town in Faridkot district, Akashdeep joined Indian Army as an agniveer nearly 21 months ago. Sandhwan, while paying tributes alongside his wife Gurpreet Kaur, said the Agnipath Scheme was not suitable for the nation's security. He asked the central govt to withdraw the scheme and resume regular recruitments.
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