Martyr wife refuses Bihar’s Rs 5 lakh, calls it disrespectful

In a setback to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, martyred soldier Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh’s wife refused to accept Rs 5 lakh as compensation which was announced by the state government.

Sangeeta Devi, widow of Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh, while terming the amount as “disrespectful for soldiers who die for their country” said, “Was my husband a drunkard who died in a drain after consuming liquor We cannot accept this money, we are not beggars.”

According to Ms Sangeeta and other members of the family, the amount announced in other states were higher than Bihar.

She said, “It’s not the money but respect is what I want for my husband who died for his country. The state government cannot treat a martyred soldier like this. A person who dies in accident gets `4 lakh as compensation.”

She added, “If you want to give compensation, then come to me only after you have taken strict action against Pakistan, which is behind this terror attack.”

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, embarrassed by the reaction, later raised the compensation amount to Rs 11 lakh. According to her neighbours, Sangeeta Devi has been in state of shock since she learnt about her husband’s death.

They said, “She has turned hysterical after she was informed about the death of her husband. Only a few days ago, she had observed teej festival and had also spoken to her husband who had assured her that everything was fine in Uri.”

In Bhojpur district of Bihar, gloom descended in Rakhtu tola village as Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh was laid to rest with full state honours on Tuesday. Science and technology minister Jai Kumar Singh and other senior officials were present during the funeral of martyred soldier.

Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh was among 18 soldiers who died during a terrorist attack in Uri on Sunday.