Bhubaneswar/Rourkela: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of martyred jawan Pradeep Kumar Panda, who died in a terrorist attack at CRPF training centre in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, late on Sunday night.
The assistance will be provided from special relief fund created for defence and paramilitary employees created by the state government, said an official source.
Besides, a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 will be extended to the widow of the jawan.
Pradeep was working with the 132 battalion of CRPF and had joined the paramilitary force in 2006. He was awarded with a police medal for gallantry on IndependenceDay last year for his gallant endeavours, the CRPF said on Twitter.
In a tweet, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condoled the death of the jawan and said Odisha has always been a land of bravehearts. Five CRPF jawans were killed in the attack by militants on the training camp late on Sunday night.
At Liploi, the native of the martyr, the scene was that of teary eyes and gloomy faces.
Candle light prayer and wait for the hero is the scene at Liploi and Rajgangpur. At Liploi, every house is mourning for the martyr. "He is like my son. You ask anyone, everybody will say he belonged to them," said an elderly Rabichandra Pradhan, a resident of Liploi.
His father Pitambara Panda, in a choked voice, said: "You can imagine my state of mind, but I am proud and happy my son died fighting like a real hero and that gives me the strength."
In another development ,Rajgangpur MLA Mangala Kissan termed this as a personal loss. The sleepy hamlet, which is now part of the Rajgangpur Municipality, is eagerly waiting for the return of the hero. "He may be returning wrapped in tri-colour but for us he will always be with us," said Rajgangpur Municipality chairman Susrita Paikray, who had declared that a martyr memorial would be built in his memory at a cost of Rs 8 lakh at Liploi.
"He will be given a burial with all national honour on Wednesday," said Sundergarh police superintendent Pinak Mishra.
