Covering mortal remains of martyrs in 'local resources an aberration': Army

In an another incident in Bihar's Chhapra, martyr's kin slam local admin over lack of support

The Indian Army on Sunday said wrapping the bodies of men, who died in a helicopter crash in Arunachal Pradesh, "in local resources is an aberration".

Pictures circulating on social media showed bodies of killed personnel wrapped in what appeared to be plastic sheets and cardboard, inviting criticism.

"The mortal remains of helicopter accident on October 6 recovered, (and) sent wrapped in local resources is an aberration," the Army said in a tweet from its official handle.

"Fallen soldiers always given full military honour. Carriage of mortal remains in body bags, wooden boxes, and coffins will be ensured," another tweet said.

Lt General H.S. Panag (retired) earlier tweeted a picture and said: "Seven young men stepped out into the sunshine yesterday, to serve their motherland. India. This is how they came home."

"Proper military body bags must be used to transport bodies from forward locations until ceremonial coffins available," he said.

In an another incident in Bihar's Chhapra, The family of Master Warrant Officer Anil Kumar Singh, who lost his life in the Mi-17 helicopter crash in Tawang, has alleged that they did not receive any help from administration to perform the cremation.

Sunil Kumar Singh, brother of Anil, said, "The dead body was first brought to Patna by the Air force and then to Chhapra through a helicopter and then it was handed over to us by the Air Force. There is a helipad just 200 metres away from our house which was made to land Bihar governor's helicopter. We requested the local administration to land the helicopter here but they refused."

He added that the family has no objections from the Air Force as it handed over the body to them very respectfully and performed the last rites by paying the guard of honour.

Expressing anger over the behaviour from the local administration, he said "There has been an event for the Bihar Governor just six kms away from here. I have immense grief over this that my elder brother has sacrificed is life for the nation but not a single person from administration has come to meet us."

The family has alleged that Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament, who lives just 100 kms away from their home, did not even come to see them.

Also, they have stated that the administration, which assembled for the Governor's function, was informed personally about the victim, but they could not afford to come just ten steps forward and meet the family.

"We received no support from the administration, neither mentally nor financially. We had to use private vehicles to bring his body from Chhapra. No one from authority came here. They negated my father's martyrdom," said son of the late Warrant Officer.

Locals from the village said that they saw Anil Kumar as an icon and he used to tell them that how much respect one earns after joining the Indian Air Force.

The family, lamenting over the death, has expressed anger over the neglected martyrdom and has demanded apology from the administration over such behaviour.

Kumar had joined the Indian Army in 1984. He lost his life along with six others on Friday, when a Mi-17 V5 chopper near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.