Relatives of Param Vir Chakra awardee lance Naik Albert Ekka refused to accept the soil which was reportedly brought from the martyred soldier’s grave at Agartala in Tripura and expressed the desire to visit the place where Jharkhand’s hero is resting in peace. For the time being, the mortal remains of the hero of 1971 Indo-Pak war will be in the protection of Deputy Commissioner of Gumla.
The soil was transported from Ranchi on Thursday morning by a special vehicle that was flagged-off by Chief Minister Raghubar Das who later on reached Jari village to handover the soil to his widow Balmadina Ekka and son Vincent Ekka.
“They said they had not been to the grave so they want to see it. A team comprising his (Albert Ekka) son would go to Agartala. We will hand over the soil to them once they see the grave and confirm from people,” said DC of Gumla, Dinesh Chandra Mishra.
According to sources, both wife and son of Ekka expressed anguish at the manner in which the soil was brought and refused owning up the soil besides, emphasising on the need to trace the origin of the soil before accepting it. A team of around 10-11 people is likely to visit Agartala to trace the origin of the soil.
“Names for the visiting team would be decided by the Government,” added Mishra.
Notwithstanding the refusal, the family members were felicitated by the CM and as per the programme foundation stone for ‘Shaurya Sthal’ was placed jointly by Balmadina and the CM.
Earlier, a special vehicle carrying soil from the grave was flagged off on Thursday morning by Das. The convoy of vehicles comprised guards, army men and more than 30 guards on motorcycles as the remnants were taken from Ranchi to the native place of Ekka.
“Youngsters should take inspiration from martyrs. Ekka is pride of our state. He sacrificed his life for the country and this is matter of pride for us. His sacrifice inspires us,” said Das.
Incidentally, soil from the grave of the recipient of highest gallantry was brought to his native place after long wait of 44 years and after lot of initiatives from the Government’s end. The soil was expected to be laid at the place of foundation stone where a memorial is proposed in the name of the martyred soldier. The grave soil was brought to Ranchi on December 1 reportedly from the Army’s memorial cemetery at Dulki village in Agartala.