21 years on, still no govt help for Jharkhand martyr's family

Though it has been 21 years since John Augustus was martyred in Indian Army's Operation Rakshak in 1999, his family has still received no assistance from the state government. His parents still live in a dilapidated hut, and his wife is surviving on her pension after retiring as a teacher.

Gumla (Jharkhand): Among the brave troops who have sacrificed their lives at the border for India over the years, was John Augustus of Jharkhand's Gumla district.

Augustus, a resident of Telaya village of Raidih block, was martyred while fighting Pakistani troops at the Line of Control as part of Operation Rakshak in 1999.

He was in the 7 Bihar Regiment, and was even given many honours in recognition of his valour.

Though it has been 21 years since his death, the family has not yet received any assistance from the state government, nor has his village seen any development. While the martyr's old parents live in a dilapidated hut in their village, his wife and two children live in Gumla.

"We have received no assistance from the government till now. We need a road to be built in the village, it is extremely problematic for the residents," said Jay Ekka, the brother of the martyr.

Since there was no telephone facility at their home at the time, the martyr's family came to know about his death only a week later.

"He had died on December 25, 1999. We got the news only a week later through the local cops," Said Imileani Ekka, the wife of the martyr.

Imileani, who used to work as a teacher, has now retired from service, and survives on the pension she receives.

"Family did not get much help. We got nothing from the state government. I was told it was due to Jharkhand getting bifurcated from Bihar. I have sent multiple letters, but to no avail," she said.

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"I built the house from the money I saved. Now both my sons are unemployed. We cannot survive solely on my pension," she said.

The martyr's son said that the best way for the goverment to pay tribute to his father would be by developing the village and erecting a statue in his honour.

"The government hasn't helped us, provided us no jobs. Nothing has been done in father's name, not even a statue. Even now the road to our village is in a miserable condition. The least that can be done is to build a road in my father's honour," said Sukesh Kumar Ekka, the martyr's son.

"My father got martyred, but it feels like his name has been forgotten," he added.