Tearful tribute to Paramjeet Singh

Amid palpable anger and intense grief, the body of martyr Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh was consigned to flames with full military honours at his native village Vain Poin in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district on Tuesday. His 11-year-old son lit the pyre.

However, before the martyr’s last rites could be performed, the kin insisted that they be shown the body wrapped in tricolour.  “Whose body is this? It is all behind this box,” they said.

The soldier’s wife Paramjit Kaur was later allowed to take a last look. She was shocked to see the mutilated, headless body of her husband in the coffin.

Buglers sounded the ceremonial Last Post. “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and anti-Pakistan slogans were raised amid gun salute to the martyr.

Emotions poured in at the funeral as an entire village descended on the cremation ground. The kin lamented the absence of senior government functionaries, including Punjab ministers, at the funeral.

The family expressed outrage over the government’s inability to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. “The Centre should give a free hand to army so that Pakistan is taught a stern lesson. Our government had once said that if Pakistan kills or beheads one of our soldiers, as many as 10 enemy soldiers will meet the same fate. But what is happening now? If the government cannot teach Pakistan a lesson, then it should allow me to take revenge of my husband’s killing,” Kaur said.

The martyr’s father Udham Singh said Paramjeet was to return home on May 10 on a holiday. The soldier was initially to return on April 28, but postponed his leave for a colleague who wanted to proceed on urgent leave. Only his mortal remains returned. “I am proud of my son. But Pakistan needs to be taught a lesson,” his father said.

CM announces ex gratia to kin
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced an ex gratia of Rs 12 lakh for the next of kin of Paramjeet Singh. While Rs 5 lakh and a plot worth the same amount will be given to Paramjeet’s wife and children, Rs 2 lakh will be given to his parents. The chief minister also announced a suitable government job to the next of kin of the soldier. His children will get free education..