11-years of martyrdom, Promises made remain unfulfilled

The Tadmetla attack is completing 11 years. Even after a decade, the martyrs' families thinking about their loved ones break down. Praveen Rai, a native of Baghrai village in Uttar Pradesh had made a supreme sacrifice in this attack. Even after these many years, his family's tears have not dried up.

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh): Lal Praveen Rai of Baghrai village was martyred in the 2010 Tadmetla Naxalite attack. Praveen, the eldest of his parents' three children, joined the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in 2002, taking the oath of service to the country. Having served 8-years for the nation, he made the supreme sacrifice. In the shootout, the Naxalites were neutralised by the armed forces. Even today almost after 11 years, the family sinks in pain as soon as they remember those days. The child, who was in the mother's womb at the time of his father's martyrdom, weeps.

As the son of a peasant father, Praveen had a dream to join the Indian Army. Seeing the desire of the son, the father managed to provide all that he could. On the day Praveen Rai got selected into the CRPF, a festive atmosphere was witnessed in the whole family. Praveen was the sole breadwinner and the joint family relied on his earnings for their day-to-day activities.

On April 6, 2010, the family was shocked to hear the tragic news of Praveen's martyrdom in the Naxalite attack at Tadmetla. Amidst the sorrow and pride, the family kept wiping their tears. However, even after 11 years, the pain of Praveen's demise is still clearly visible even today among the family members.

Praveen Rai's family

Praveen Rai's family weeps for him even today. When he was martyred, his wife was 7 months pregnant and his son Divyanshu was born after 2 months. As he grew older, he kept hearing about his father from family members and his mother. Divyanshu is proud of his father's bravery. He also feels the lack of his father's love and breaks down whenever someone asks him about his father.

While speaking to ETV Bharat, on being asked about what he would become in life, the son of the martyr wept and said that he would become an IAS officer. "I will fulfil my father's dream by becoming an IAS and will serve the country," Divyanshu said.

Forgotten Promises

The relatives of the martyred soldier recollect announcements made by the administration and political leaders, back then. There has also been a demand to rename the primary school of the village after the martyr, and a statue placed in his remembrance at the entrance, for the last 11 years. But there hasn't been any kind of response neither from any leader nor the administration. The family also sent their demand to the PMO in writing.

Even the CRPF DIG had written several letters to the Gorakhpur administration, regarding the matter. But to date, the martyr has not been accorded any respect due to which the whole family is sad.

The soldier's brother and uncle say that when the martyrdom took place, many public representatives who had attended made big promises, but none have turned into reality. Today, there is no one to take care of Praveen's family.

Four years to get compensation from CRPF

It took 4 years for the family of martyr Praveen Rai to receive assistance and compensation from the CPRF. ETV Bharat tried contacting all those who were responsible for honouring the martyr, whether it's the local administration or the village head, but none came forward to speak citing that they are busy with works related to Panchayat elections. Wherever Praveen is, his martyrdom will always be filled with pride.