After much hullaballoo, pious soil of lance Nayak Albert Ekka is set to reach here on Saturday. The team comprising octogenarian wife of the Paramvir Charka winner martyr, Balamdina Ekka and eight other members would arrive at Birsa Munda airport around noon.
Admitting about the development, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Kumar said that the Agartala-bound team would be received after arrival. “The Chief Minister is not likely to remain present over there due to some prior appointments but senior officials of the State Government would be there besides, the Army officials,” he told The Pioneer.
On being asked whether arrangement of similar kind filled with fanfare would be organised this time around as well in order to take the soil to the 1972 war hero’s native village Jari of Gumla, Sanjay Kumar refrained from any prediction.
“The State Government has gone out of the way in helping her and we are looking forward to her satisfaction. Everything has been done to her satisfaction so far. She was given State guest status at Tripura and wherever she travelled. At present also, we are open to it,” he added. Balamdina and the team members travelled to Tripura and Bangladesh where they were given grand welcome and guard of honour by the concerned Governments and defense establishments.
Meanwhile, the team accompanying the lady has acknowledged that the soil brought previously from the martyr’s grave was also genuine. “We inquired at Agartala about the soil having been taken and found that someone had actually done it. We don’t want to create any controversy at this juncture. With Balamdina’s permission the soil brought earlier would also be put to rest along with this one being brought,” said Ratan Tirkey, who was leading the team to Agartala and Ganga Sagar of Bangladesh trips. Albert Ekka had attained the supreme sacrifice in the Bangladesh war at Ganga Sagar and his mortal remain was buried at Agartala.
“The only difference is that this time she brought the soil with high respect and dignity by tying in her own anchal. Previously it was not the case. Now after arrival we would take her to different places connected to Albert Ekka in Ranchi and later the soil would be buried at her courtyard at village Jari after following all the rituals,” added Tirkey.