Azad Hind Fauj soldier's kin in dire straits

Hamirpur: Family of a soldier of Azad Hind Fauj formed by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is seeking help after having fallen on tough times.

The family members of Late Beli Ram have appealed to the district administration of Himachal Pradesh for family. "But nothing has been done to help us," say Ram's family in Garodu of Hamirpur district.

The old house of Ram, where his family still stays has become so dilapidated that it can collapse any time in the current monsoon season.

Beli Ram was a soldier in the Azad Hind Fauj and was court marshaled in 1945 by a British Court due to which he remained in jail in Singapore for eight months and in Kolkata for four years.

He passed away on April 27, 1973 at his native place.

Kashmir Singh Thakur, Ram's son said at the age of 14, his father had joined the Azad Hind Fauj and was part of the movement in Rangoon led by Bose. He said that from Rangoon to Kohima, he kept fighting in the World War II.

Thakur was pained to say that after the death of his father, his mother used to get pension, but later on, no attention was paid to the family of the freedom fighter.

He said their old house has become dilapidated -- the condition of the gate built in the memory of his freedom fighter father is also in a pathetic state.

Thakur said that after his mother's death, no attention has been taken by the district administration, even though Deputy Commissioner has been requested several times through the Freedom Fighters Association.

He has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the freedom fighter's family be helped and respected.

Kashmir Singh Thakur said that he has also appealed to the administration for the repair of the dilapidated house, but no help has been received and the house could crash any time in the rainy season.

He said that he had also met Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and handed him a letter on behalf of freedom fighter's family, but till date no response has come.

He and his wife urged the government to pay attention to the families of the freedom fighters at the earliest.

Village youths too, said that "Dada has been a freedom fighter, but the government and administration is not paying any attention to the condition of the family". No official was available for comment. (UNI)