Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav and BJP leaders visited the family of Lance Naik Hemraj, who was killed by Pakistani troops near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.
Making separate visits to the grieving family in Shernagar village in Mathura district, the leaders condoled the martyr’s family. Akhilesh Yadav also announced a relief of Rs 25 lakh for the family.
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The family members of the martyr, who were on fast for the past few days complaining that the government ignored the martyr, broke their fast after the visits. “The whole nation respects the martyrs and it is our responsibility to honour them. I thanked his family... We need to support them and give them courage,” Akhilesh Yadav said.
“We have already announced a relief of Rs 25 lakh... Money is not a big thing, but to support and respect the family is the duty of the government,” he said.
Hemraj’s wife Dharmawati, who had been fasting with some other family members, said: “I hope they keep their promises. I am in a bad shape.” The central government also announced a compensation of Rs 46 lakh.
BJP President Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh met the family earlier. Gadkari demanded that the Indian government should ‘isolate’ Pakistan.
Hemraj Singh and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh of Rajputana Rifles were killed by Pakistan’s army on January 8, and their bodies were mutilated. “Such inhuman treatment and such violence is a blot for the whole world,” Gadkari said.
BJP leader Sushma Swaraj slammed the central government saying none of the ministers were present at the last rites of the soldier. “No one said when the last rites would be. The defence minister should have come, or at least the minister of state for defence should have come. Minister of state from home ministry and somebody from the prime minister’s office should have come...,” Sushma Swaraj said.
“Government should apologise for this lapse. But whatever happened, India should retaliate. Strict action must be taken,” she said.
She added, “If they (Pakistan) don’t give us one head, we should bring back ten heads.” The government should act tough as the country was angry, Sushma said.u00a0
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