Niali: Martyred jawan Manoj Behera’s father Jitendra Behera keeps telling the journalists who visited him following the martyrdom of his son in Kashmir: “I feel proud of my son. He has attained martyrdom for the motherland. But those who are responsible for the attack that claimed at least 45 lives should be paid in equal coins.”
Not only him, the entire villagers of Gajabar in Ratanpur panchayat under Niali block in Cuttack district want a befitting reply to Pakistan.
The entire villagers are mourning the martyrdom of Manoj following a terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The villagers are in tears and they have stopped cooking.
Manoj, who was the only son of Jitendra, always wanted to do something for his motherland. He joined CRPF in 2006 after completing his studies.
In 2017 he married Ililata from Somnathpur village under Nischintkoili block in Cuttack district. They have a daughter.
He came to his house on leave December 24. After celebrating his daughter’s birthday January 16, he returned to duty February 6.
He talked last to his wife February 14 afternoon. During his brief conversation, he assured his mother and wife not to worry for him. Manoj said he would return after one or two months to complete the construction of his house.
“But Manoj is nowhere to keep his words,” says his father.
But what moved everyone is the reaction of Manoj’s daughter who is yet to understand why people are visiting their house and why her mother, grandfather, grandmother are crying. After seeing them crying, she too is crying without knowing the reason behind it.
PNN