CM to give Rs 2 crore for memorial to Bishnois

Abohar, May 21

NGOs formed by the Bishnoi community in Seetogunno subtehsil, which houses one of the largest open wildlife sanctuaries, here on Saturday sought to apprise Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of the resentment which prevailed as none of the promises made after winning the 2012-Vidhan Sabha elections had been fulfilled.

As Badal arrived in Seetogunno village to start the Sangat Darshan programme for the third consecutive day in Balluana segment, the community leaders said the state government had announced to set up Guru Jambheshwar Chair at the Punjabi University and launch Amrita Devi Environment Award, but nothing had been done so far.

Amrita Devi had sacrificed her life along with her three daughters in 1730 to save trees being felled by the Maharaja of Jodhpur at Khejarli village in Rajasthan. Along with her, over 363 other Bishnois died saving the Khejri trees. The community demanded that a befitting memorial be set up in Seetogunno as a tribute to them.

Badal agreed to provide Rs 2 crore for the memorial and the village panchayat agreed to donate land. In Bishanpura village, the Sangat Darshan was named ‘Khulla Akhara’ and welcome banners also carried picture of a SAD leader who was last year terminated as sarpanch, few months after a court sentenced him to 3.5 years imprisonment under the NDPS Act. He has been released on bail and was among those who discussed problems of residents with Badal today.

At Kheowali village, SSA and RMSA teachers told Badal that they had not been paid salaries for the last five months. — OC