Ferrying mortal remains of Martyr via road in bad weather upsets colleagues

‘His 3 yrs old daughter was among 13 people crammed into hearse, traversing through bumpy NH-1A’

JAMMU: In a cruel joke and disrespect to the martyrs, sadly enough the Government which has choppers for the marriages, parties and official functions of the politicians only spared a hearse-ambulance ferrying dead-to ferry the mortal remains of the Zakura Martyr Sub-Inspector Imran Tak, attracting ire from the colleagues of the martyred cop.
"If this country is for politicians only; why the 'men in uniform' are always treated like the third-world citizen?" These are the satiric words full of resentment from a fellow rank of the martyred cop.
The manner in which mortal remains of martyred cop were shifted in a 'hearse' to his native place left many of his fellow men simmering with anger. Various ranks and files of the martyred Sub-Inspector Imran Tak who attained martyrdom at Zakoora, Srinagar yesterday while fighting the terrorists raised fingers at the maltreatment doled to the martyr.
According to police sources, the body of the deceased SI, Imran Tak, who hails from Basantgarh, Udhampur, was late night unceremoniously loaded in a hearse from Zakoora locality for his last journey towards his native place town.
One of Tak's colleagues, wishing anonymity, said, "His body was ferried to District Police Line, Udhampur and later to his hometown, Basantgarh in an ambulance crammed by 13 people including JKP men and his 3-year-old daughter, Alishba."
"The vehicle traversed through bumpy Jammu-Srinagar Highway in the inclement weather. Had the road got blocked as it usually happens during winters, his remains would not have reached Basantgarh on time," he lamented with a heavy voice.
"When this government can bear the expenses for the air journeys of politicians merely when they have to attend some political rallies, functions, why not do the same for ferrying the mortal remains of a soldier who laid down his life for integrity of nation?" he asked.
Looking for appropriate words to express his anguish, another colleague of Tak said, "I am shell-shocked as Imran was my batch-mate. It was a great shock losing him but I was ripped apart when I saw our state government, rather our police department arranging an ambulance to send the body of my colleague to his home town.
"I felt shattered again when I saw the innocent face of little angel, Alishba among 13 people who were crammed like cattle in the vehicle leaving to Basantgarh- the home town of martyr."
"There is a great resentment in our batch. Is our government, department doing anything for us? Had the martyred soldier a cop of CRPF, Army or any other central force, the central government would have arranged helicopters to ferry his remains. Aren't we human beings? Our entire batch is up in brewing with resentment over such a step-motherly treatment doled to our colleague but we cannot express our plight," he rued.
Pertinently, the body of slain martyred SI reached DPL Udhampur in the wee hours today and he was laid to rest in his hometown, Basantgarh later in the day with respect.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh along with Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar and Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga were among those who laid wreath on the mortal remains of slain cop.
Dr Singh while paying tributes to the police officer here at DPL Udhampur expressed grief over the killing and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
"Imran was a brave and sincere cop who laid his life for securing the lives of others," the Dy CM said, adding that the nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.
Recognizing the brave act of Sub-Inspector Imran Tak, DyCM said his name will be recommended for prestigious Shaurya Chakra gallantry medal so that the future generations can take inspiration and follow the path tread by the brave police officers.