Tezpur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today felicitated nineteen ‘Veer Naris’ in Tupul landslide tragedy during an event organized by Trishakti Corps at Bengdubi Mil station . He applauded the bravery and remembered supreme sacrifice of valiant soldiers of 107 Inf Bn (TA) 11 GR.
One company of 107 Inf Bn (TA) 11 GR was deployed near Tupul Railway Station for protection of under construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal. On the intervening night of 29/30 June recently, tragic incident occurred wherein a massive landslide of unimaginable magnitude struck Company Operating Base (COB). 61 innocent lives were lost within couple of seconds including One offr, 03 JCOs and 26 OR of 107 Inf Bn (TA) 11 GR.
During the interaction with ‘Veer Naris’, RM expressed that nation shares the grief of the family of deceased soldiers and assured that Govt will ensure their financial stability. While empathising with the ‘Veer Naris’, he said that sacrifices made by the soldiers can never be repaid and the country will always be indebted to them. However, in an endeavor to mitigate the hardships, he presented cheques of Rs 7 Lakhs to each ‘Veer Nari’.
The ‘Veer Naris’ conveyed their gratitude and appreciated the initiative taken by the Government and Indian Army and said that it would motivate the youth to join Armed Forces.
The event was a true reflection of an important tenet of age old tradition and culture of Indian Army to respect its martyrs and families. The RM was accompanied by Sh Raju Bista, Member of Parliament, Darjeeling, four MLA’s, Senior Army Officers, Gen Manoj Pande, AVSM, PVSM, VSM, ADDC, COAS, Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich, AVSM, GOC, 33 Corps & Maj Gen Satinder Singh, SM, GOC, 111 Sub Area.