PUNE: An army havildar from Parbhani district has claimed that his wife and daughter have been missing since September 20 from Tenga valley in Arunachal Pradesh where he is currently posted with the 23 Field Regiment of Artillery.
Havildar Anil Gondge said he has met Union ministers of state for defence Subhash Bhamre and home affairs Kiran Rijiju and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other senior defence and home ministries officials in the last two weeks, but there has been little progress in finding them. Gondge joined the force in 2000 and has served in several forward areas in the last 17 years.
Gondge told TOI over phone, "It is disheartening that a serving havildar of the Indian army is not getting help from any agency despite assurances from ministers. I am worried about my wife and daughter."
He said wife Swapna and one-year-old daughter Aara went to a temple barely 2km away on September 20. "I was at home. She told me she was going to the temple and would buy some vegetables. She took Rs 150 from my wallet and left with Aara around 4pm. I visited the temple and nearby places when they did not return home but I could not find them. Later, my neighbours (soldiers) too searched for them at the railway station and bus stand," he added.
Gondge then filed a missing person's complaint with Rupa police station in Tenga. He said police did not make any progress. "They were able to identify the driver of a private vehicle in which they travelled to the temple but could not get any substantial clue. They did not pursue the case which forced me to leave the place. I came to my hometown with my six-year-old son and started seeking help from ministers."
He claimed he has been getting calls on his cellphone from an unidentified caller for the past few days. "I have requested the local police and the higher ups to trace the caller but even that help is elusive," he said.
Gondge said, "I was happy with my wife and children. We had no issues. We celebrated my daughter's birthday on September 17. My leave was sanctioned and we were planning to return to Parbhani."
A senior official from Bhamre's office told TOI over the phone, "We have already taken up the case with the Army as well as the police authorities. We are hopeful that the agencies will trace his (havildar) family members in the next few days."
Havildar Anil Gondge said he has met Union ministers of state for defence Subhash Bhamre and home affairs Kiran Rijiju and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other senior defence and home ministries officials in the last two weeks, but there has been little progress in finding them. Gondge joined the force in 2000 and has served in several forward areas in the last 17 years.
Gondge told TOI over phone, "It is disheartening that a serving havildar of the Indian army is not getting help from any agency despite assurances from ministers. I am worried about my wife and daughter."
He said wife Swapna and one-year-old daughter Aara went to a temple barely 2km away on September 20. "I was at home. She told me she was going to the temple and would buy some vegetables. She took Rs 150 from my wallet and left with Aara around 4pm. I visited the temple and nearby places when they did not return home but I could not find them. Later, my neighbours (soldiers) too searched for them at the railway station and bus stand," he added.
Gondge then filed a missing person's complaint with Rupa police station in Tenga. He said police did not make any progress. "They were able to identify the driver of a private vehicle in which they travelled to the temple but could not get any substantial clue. They did not pursue the case which forced me to leave the place. I came to my hometown with my six-year-old son and started seeking help from ministers."
He claimed he has been getting calls on his cellphone from an unidentified caller for the past few days. "I have requested the local police and the higher ups to trace the caller but even that help is elusive," he said.
Gondge said, "I was happy with my wife and children. We had no issues. We celebrated my daughter's birthday on September 17. My leave was sanctioned and we were planning to return to Parbhani."
A senior official from Bhamre's office told TOI over the phone, "We have already taken up the case with the Army as well as the police authorities. We are hopeful that the agencies will trace his (havildar) family members in the next few days."
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