This story is from May 24, 2016

Bihar govt's 'apathy' angers martyr kin

Bihar govt's 'apathy' angers martyr kin

Patna: Rifleman Akhilesh Kumar Pandey of 23, Assam Rifles, who was martyred in an ambush laid by insurgent groups near Jhuppi in Chandel district of Manipur on Sunday, laid his life for the country with the wish that his two children after completing education, would join Indian Army.
The martyr's mortal remains reached Patna airport on a special aircraft of Indian Air Force on Tuesday afternoon, where several senior army officials paid homage to the departed soul and a guard of honour was given.

The body was later taken to his native village Kanhaili in Bhojpur district, where his last rites were performed. Three senior army officials - Brigadier BS Dhillon, who is the deputy GOC of Jharkhand and Bihar sub area, Colonel Yashpal Tora and Lieutenant Colonel Debashish Sah were present in the last journey of the rifleman. The armyman is survived by wife Ekta Pandey and two children, Ayush Kumar (4) and daughter Kinjal Kumari (2).
ADM (law and order) Sanwar Bharti, DSP, secretariat Ashok Chaudhary and protocol officer Ravibhushan Sahay were present at the airport to pay homage to the martyr. However, the army officials and family members were miffed with the absence of CM or any minister to pay last respects to the martyr.
The martyr's family members said in Manipur and Ranchi, CM themselves reached the airport to pay their respects, but no one was seen at the Patna airport.

Pandey's elder brother Ashok Kumar Pandey, who is also in 3, Assam Rifles and posted in Kohima, Nagaland, along with a few other family members had reached the airport to receive his younger brother's body.
"My brother always wished that his both children should join the army after completion of their education, but he left before both the kids could make him proud donning the olive green," Ashok said. He said their uncle Tarkeshwar Mishra, who retired from Army in 2007, had inspired Akhilesh to serve the motherland.
"We had last chat on Saturday afternoon and Akhilesh said that he was fine and there was nothing to worry," said Ashok. He also said both of them had reached home on a month-long vacation some time back and Akhilesh returned on April 27.
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