Remembering Warriors: They killed 50 of ours, get 500 of theirs, says Martyr's Father

Rohitash Lamba, 28, Rajasthan

Since Thursday evening, when information about martyrdom of Rohitash Lamba reached his village – Govindpura Bansri – near Shahpura, the locals are in a state of shock. The entire village did not light their stoves to cook food, a customary mark in Rajasthan that is observed when a person in the family dies. Hundreds of villagers and locals from nearby areas thronged the Lamba’s village and braved the cold night, to express their solidarity with Rohitash’s family.

As the news of Rohitash’s martyrdom reached family members, the martyr’s brother Jitendra Lamba’s health worsened and he had to be rushed to nearby hospital. Born in 1991, Rohitash was selected in the CRPF in 2011. The man had recently come home on a one-month leave and returned in the first week of January to join his duty. “Only two months have passed since Rohitash became a father to a boy and now the jawan’s dead body is coming back to his native village,” a local resident said.

Notably, a bhandara (feast) had been organized at the village temple, however, after the news about the jawan’s martyrdom reached the locals, the bhandara was cancelled. Dozens of people are seated at various places across the village and braved the cold night, to show their grief.

Rohitash’s father – Babulal Lamba – has tears rolling down since he heard of his son’s death. “My son has attained martydom in a terrorist attack. I want him to be avenged, only then will I be at peace. They have killed fifty of our men. We will be at peace when we kill five hundred of theirs,” Babulal said in anger and grief, adding further, “My grandson is two months old and Rohitash was the breadwinner of our house. The government should provide us with some help.”

While villagers thronged Rohitash’s home, several politicans also made a beeline to meet his family. BJP state in-charge Avinash Khanna, BJP state President Madan Lal Saini, former MLA Rao Rajendra Singh met the family and offered condolences

Ex-Gratia By Raj

The state government will give Rs 50 lakh cash or Rs 25 lakh cash and land worth Rs 25 lakh in IGNP area or Rs 25 lakh cash and a RHB house worth Rs 25 lakh to the kin of each martyred soldier from Rajasthan. Apart from this the kin will get employment in service from government along with a support package.