RailEnquiry

Ludhianan : Policemen involved in nabbing dreaded terrorist Balbir Singh Bhootna from Ludhiana railway station three years ago were rewarded, but the sacrifice of tea vendor Santosh Kumar, who lost his life while trying to nab Bhootna, was not recognised.Santosh had caught hold of Bhootna when he was trying to escape from Ludhiana Railway Station on August 25, 2009. In a bid to free himself, the terrorist shot dead Santosh.Documentary evidence with The Tribune reveals that while Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had hailed Santosh’s feat, the Police Department refused compensation to the family, saying Santosh did not die in a terrorism-related incident. The officials concerned have even ignored orders of the Chief Minister to provide pension and job to Santosh’s wife Parvati.“I have been shuttling from one government office to another seeking a job or pension as the money I received after the death of my husband is getting exhausted," said Parvati. "An official recently informed me that my case for a government job and pension has been rejected. The government has played a cruel joke with me. Bhootna had shot at two cops. My husband had overpowered the armed terrorist without caring for his life. Had he not nabbed Bhootna, he would have fled," she claimed.“For the last three years, I am surviving on Rs 75,000 I got after Santosh’s death. Another Rs 2.4 lakh was deposited in the account of my three children, which they would get when they attain the age of 18,” said Parvati, who lives in a dingy room in Singpura area near Jagraon bridge.

HERO'S DEATH
Santosh Kumar, a tea vendor, caught hold of dreaded terrorist Balbir Singh Bhootna while he was trying to escape from Ludhiana railway station on August 25, 2009. In a bid to free himself, Bhootna shot Santosh dead.