Bhim Singh apologizes for disgraceful remark on army martyrs

Bihar's Panchayati Raj Minister Bhim Singh on Thursday apologized for his outrageous remark that 'people join the forces only to die'.

Bhim Singh's apology came soon after the Janta Dal-United (JD-U) distanced itself from his remark.

"I apologize if my distorted comments have caused pain to the people minister. Chief Minister called me up and he expressed his displeasure at my comment. My comments have been distorted, I had not said that," he said

In an insult to the men in uniform, Bhim Singh earlier said that people joined the Indian Army and the police force just to die.

"Sena aur police me log marne hi jate hain (People join the army and the police force only to die)," he told media in Patna, when asked about the absence of state ministers at the airport.

"Did your father and mother go (to receive the soldiers' bodies)," he added, while posing a counter question to a reporter.

There was no minister at the Patna airport last night to receive the bodies of the soldiers. The bodies of the soldiers were brought to Patna by special plane last night.

The mortal remains of Sepoy Vijay Kumar Rai, Lance Naik Shambhu Saran Singh and Premnath Singh and Sepoy Raghunandan Prasad from 21 Bihar regiment, who were among five soldiers killed along LoC, were today consigned to flames at their native villages of with full state honours.

Hundreds of people gathered at the cremation grounds to pay their homage to the brave soldiers who were martyred in Poonch sector on Tuesday.

The Bihar Chief Minister had earlier announced state honours for the martyrs, and also announced Rs.10 lakh ex gratia payment to each of the affected families.