The families of the two policemen allegedly lynched to death by a mob on July 5, 2006, during Bhiwandi riots, will not be alone this Diwali.
Thanks to the initiative taken by a Pune-based social organisation, Bhoi Trust, a group from Pune laden with sweets, flowers, bouquets and crackers arrived in Thane to initiate Diwali celebrations with the two families on Saturday.
All in their twenties and thirties, some belonging to the Vande Mataram Sangathana, came down to Thane with Dr Milind A Bhoi and deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Headquarters (HQ) CG Dhaithankar, and visited the families of the slain cops — Rao Saheb Jagtap and Balasaheb Gangurde — and extended their festival greetings to the bereaved members.
Bhoi said that public memory is short-lived and the society tends to forget the sacrifice of jawans who lose their life during action. “We have permanently adopted these two families and provide them life long support and do all possible things so that the family members will never feel that they have lost their bread-winner,” Bhoi said.
“Last year we conducted the marriage of Poonam, the daughter of Gangurde at Nashik and bore all the expenses. We want to see these two families be happy and prove to the society that they can be cared for. This should be an example for other members of the society who should rush to help the needy families at times.”
Besides, an institution has undertaken the entire responsibility for the education of the children in the two families, Bhoi informed.
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