Haryana: Project in martyr’s memory hangs fire despite CM’s announcement

JIND: Family members of the martyr, Major Sanjeev Lathar, have been waiting for the launch of a project in his name since November, when chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar made an announcement to the effect. Major Lathar of the Army Aviation Corps died in a chopper crash with two other officers, Lieutenant Colonel Rajneesh Kumar and Major Arvind Bazala during a return landing at the Sukna Army base in West Bengal.
A native of Budha Khera Lather village in Jind district, Major Lathar is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sisters, father and mother. An alumnus of Sainik School, Kunjpura (Karnal), Major Lathar joined the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakvasla in 2000 and was commissioned from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in 2004.
CM Khattar visited Major Lathar’s village on November 21, 2018 to pay tributes to the officer along with then Union minister Birender Singh. He announced in front of the media that an institute would be opened in Major Lathar’s memory on 25 acres of land given by the village panchayat.
Ajay Lather, a representative of the sarpanch, said, “The panchayat has offered 25 acres of its land but it is up to the state government to open an institution or start a project.”
Julana MLA Amarjeet Dhanda of the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) said, “I will raise the issue with deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala promptly. Major Lathar’s family members met me to complain about the announcement on which no work has started.”
Major Lathar’s sister Babita said, “I lost my brother and nothing can fill that void. Haryana government promised to open a law institute or any Army-related project dedicated to my brother in the village. However, none of the family members know the status of the announcement.”
Major Lathar’s father Mahender Singh (67), a retired sub-inspector from Haryana police, also expressed dismay at the government’s lack of action. “Now me and my wife are staying in Bhiwani and we are left with nothing in life after my son’s untimely death. The government tried to help us come out of the shock by announcing that they would start an institution in my village but no one is ready to tell us about the project. I have no idea where to go to ascertain the status of the announcement.”
Ajay Gaur, the CM’s political adviser, said, “I will take up the matter with the authorities. The project may be in process.”