New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said that Agniveer Amritpal Singh, who lost his life in Jammu and Kashmir on October 11, should be considered a martyr, asserting that the Army considers only those martyrs who lost their lives during combat and not those who died during patrolling in snow and or in a storm.
He also said that the state will honour the soldier's sacrifice by providing a compensation of Rs 1 crore to Singh's family
Speaking to ANI, Punjab CM said, "The army considers only those martyrs who lost their lives during combat. If some of our soldiers are patrolling in snow and lose their lives during a storm, then they are not considered martyrs... They were there on the patrol for the country... The Punjab government has made a policy of Rs. 1 Crore ex gratia. Even if someone dies of a heart attack at -40 degrees, he should be considered a martyr because he was there serving the nation. It is not necessary that he should lose his life in a bullet from the enemy... We oppose the Agniveer scheme too for this."
"The way the army treated Amritpal- his body was sent to the family in an ambulance. Army said that he cannot be given a guard of honour according to the protocol... I will visit his house tomorrow. We have a cheque worth Rs 1 crore ready... I will also meet the Defence Minister for this." he added.
On Saturday, the Army issued a statement, explaining that Amritpal Singh lost his life while on sentry duty in the Rajouri Sector due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A court of inquiry is underway to determine further details.
The mortal remains of Singh were transported in a civilian ambulance, hired by the Agniveer unit, along with a junior commissioned officer and four other ranks. The Army emphasised that due to the self-inflicted nature of the injury, no guard of honour or military funeral was provided, in accordance with established policy.
He was laid to rest on Friday in his native village in Punjab's Mansa district.