Keonjhar/Hatadihi: Three villages in Keonjhar district Thursday plunged into mourning after they came to know that three of the jawans) who were killed by a powerful land mine blast by Maoists in Koraput Wednesday were from these villages. Another injured jawan of the district is reportedly under treatment at a hospital in Vishakhapatnam.
The deceased Jawans were Subarna Raj (31) of Banua village under Sadar block, Sanjay Das (35) of Chugiaposi under Patana block and Ganesh Prasad Saha (32) of Gobindapur under Hatadihi block. The injured was identified as Lipun Rath (30) of Fakirpur.
Family members of Subarna Raj said he had got the job seven months ago. Raj was taking care of a joint family comprising 14 members and had started construction of a house, rued his family members.
He wanted to marry after marriages of his three sisters. “The last time he called his family was February 1. The news of his death was heard from TV,” his father Sharat Raj bemoaned.
Sanjay Das of Chugiapasi, grievously injured, died Thursday, sources added. He had got the job three years ago and is survived by his wife, a one-and-a-half year old son and elderly parents.
Ganesh Prasad Saha of Gobindapur died Thursday while undergoing treatment. A pall of gloom descended on his village after his death. He is survived by his wife and a three-year old daughter. The villagers were waiting for his mortal remains to reach the village.
Injured Lipun Nath of Fakirpur under Anandapur block is reportedly critical at a hospital in Vishakhapatnam, said his brother Ranjan Kumar Nath. His family members and villagers wished recuperation of Lipun and his return to the village.
Collector N Tirumala Nayak quoting the SP confirmed the death of three jawans.
Terming the incident unfortunate, Nayak said mortal remains of the martyred jawans that will arrive Friday will be cremated with state honour at their respective native places. PNN
