Rourkela: Taking forward the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CISF unit here Friday remembered one of their brothers who laid down his life during an encounter with extremists on the line of duty.
This campaign is being held as part of the ‘Azaadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ with the tag line ‘Mitti ko naman, veeron ka vandan’. The CISF unit Friday visited the house of slain jawan Anil Toppo at Kuanrmunda under Biramitrapur PS.
Anil was posted at the 2nd Reserve Battalion. At that time his battalion was stationed at Ranchi. There was a call for duty and he was taken to Tripura to guard the ONGC installations there from elements inimical to the interest of the country.
On November 25, 1996, his unit came in direct contact with the ultras of Tripura National Volunteer while the hostile elements were trying to cause damage to national property. During the ensuing gun battle, Anil fought valiantly and died on the spot with three bullets in his body.
“Today we went to his house at Kuanrmunda and met the family. This is being done at the direct orders of the Prime Minister Sir,” said DIG CISF Ashok Jalwania here over the phone.
The celebration was to remember the hero who laid down his life in the service of nation, informed the DIG. “The entire locality was present there along with students from the local schools. Besides, the elected representatives were present along with the family members. We hoisted the Tricolour and also planted trees in his memory. His brave story was narrated to the students and all those present there. The moment was poignant as the family members were all in tears,” said the officer.
“However, the family declined to install any statue of Anil. So we put up a plaque explaining a little about him there,” the officer added.
Notably, the 77th Independence Day of India will mark the final round of celebration of the ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had July 30 announced that a ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign will be launched in the run up to Independence Day to honour the martyred brave hearts of the country.
PNN
