The family of police officer Baljeet Singh, who died while fighting terrorists during the deadly terror siege at Dinanagar police station in Punjab, on Tuesday refused to cremate him till the state government hands over appointment letters of SP rank to his son and post of tehsildar to his daughters.
Eight persons, including three civilians five policemen were killed in the attacks on the police station carried out by heavily-armed terrorists in army uniform. Superintendent of Police (Detective) Baljeet was one of them.
Baljeet’s wife Kulwant Kaur said the family had suffered a lot even during the time of her father-in-law Achhar Singh’s death, and that her husband had to wait for two years to get a police job.
Kaur also charged that the state government had failed to provide sophisticated weapons to the police force for fighting the militants during the siege.
The Punjab government had yesterday announced that the next kin of each member of the police force who lost their lives in the attacks would be given government jobs. A financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh had also been promised to bereaved families.
Baljeet had joined the force as ASI in 1985 following the death of his father, Inspector Achhar, who was killed in a road accident masterminded by terrorists in 1984.
Baljeet served as SHO Phagwara and with the Vigilance Department in Mansa before being deputed as Deputy Commandant in 7th IRB Battalion.
Following the news of his death on Monday, gloom descended at Baljeet’s Santpura home. Many people including senior police officials rushed to give the family solace.
Baljeet’s family members also urged SSP Ashish Chaudhary, who had come with the news of his death, not to reveal the same to his wife, who is a heart patient.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son Maninder Singh (24) and daughters Parminder Kaur (22) and Ravinder Kaur (20).
(Photo Courtesy: Indian Express)