Assam Gorkhas to March in Honour of Martyred Jawan Padam Bahadur Shrestha

Golaghat, October 21, 2019:

Gorkhas of Golaghat, Assam, have unanimously decided to march with the mortal remains of martyr Padam Bahadur Shrestha from the Dimapur Airport.

Leaders and members of the All Assam Gorkha Students' Union (AAGSU), Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha (BGP), Assam Gorkha Sammelan and Nepali Sahitya Sabha assembled at the house of the martyr today to console the grief-stricken family members.

The Gorkhas decided to welcome the martyr with a rally and named it 'Martyrs March', where people will rally with the martyr's convoy on foot till his house and cremation ground.

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Community leaders, neighbours and family were seen cleaning the premises for cremation and other rituals. Cremation will take place at his native place at Dighalipathar Hatighuli village, as per Gorkha rituals.

It may be mentioned here that Havildar Padam Bahadur Shrestha of 3/9 Gorkha Rifles attained martyrdom on October 19 when Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara`s Tangdhar sector.

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Reacting to the jawan's martyrdom, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha leader Nandan Kirati Diwan said, 'Firstly as a proud Indian, I salute the supreme sacrifice and on behalf of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha representing 10.5 millions Gorkhas of the nation pay tribute to the great soul who laid down his life in line of duty."

"Defence Spokesperson Lt. Col P Khongsai, when enquired, informed me over phone in the morning about the arrival of mortal remains of the martyr in Dimapur airport by Air India Flight No. 709 at 12:55 hrs on Tuesday instead of Jorhat airport", he added.

Dewan further added, 'Dimapur Gorkha CSOs leaders and members will receive the martyr at Dimapur airport and rally along with it till Nagaland Gate. Members of AAGSU Karbianlong will receive and rally with it till Chungajan via Bokajan where members of Golaghat District Gorkha Students' Union and leadeers Gorkha CSOs of Golaghat and ex serviceman welfare association along with common people from all walks of life will receive Late Padam Bahadur Shrestha and rally till Dighalipathar via Naojan, Sarupathar and Barpathar'.

Meghraj Sonar, Gen Secy of Golaghat Dist AAGSU who is the co-ordinator of Martyr's March said, "We have already informed the District Administration and met Dhansiri Sub Division administration regarding Martyrs March and the SDO (Civil) has assured us of extending all sort of administrative support for arrival of mortal remains of the martyr.'

Martyr Shrestha joined the Indian Army in October 2001. A resident of Dighalipathar Hatighuli under Barpathar PS of Golaghat, Shrestha leaves behind his wife, Thal Kumari Shrestha, a daughter who is a class eleven student -- and two sons.

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