Tributes paid to Martyr Pranjal Saikia on his first death anniversary

The first death anniversary of martyr Pranjal Pratim Saikia was observed with reverence at his residence on Thursday. Police officials including IGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, DIG Anurag Tankha,(Upper Assam) AIG,Law & Order, Bedanta Madhab Rajkhowa , Nagaon SP Sunil Kumar and a large number of civil society members as well as people from different walks of life also present on the occasion held at his parents’ residence at Dighaliati village under Raha Police Station. The programme started around 11.30am and continued throughout the day. People laid floral wreaths and showered petals on the tomb built in the memory of the martyr by his family members

“The police are extremely proud of the bravery and the supreme sacrifice of one of its finest officers Pranjal Saikia. Son of school teacher parents of Raha posted in Tinsukia district when he along with his troops killed two terrorists and saved many lives as these terrorists were planning wanton killing of civilian targets. We salute the brave soul,” said Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta.

Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Tankha,DIG, ( Upper Assam ), the then principal trainer,Police Training Centre,Dergaon recalled his days with Pranjal while the martyr was undergoing training. Citing a sloka from the Bhagavad Gita, the DIG said, “ It makes me very sad today that being a Guru ( teacher ) of Pranjal, I am attending his death anniversary”. He said, “ Pranjal was a hero, a true patriotic and I feel proud that I trained him at Police training Centre,Dergaon.”

Bedanta Madhav Rajkhowa, AIG, Law & Order also spoke on the occasion. A soveniour in memory of the martyr was also released on by Kamal Chandra Sharma,ex-principal,Raha H S School.

It should be mentioned here that Pranjal was born Born in 1982 at Dighaliati village of Raha. He was the second son of retired school teacher Jhulan Saikia. He had joined the Assam Police in 2009 and was posted as Probationary Sub-Inspector of Police at Kakopathar in Tinsukia district. He laid down his life in the line of duty while raiding, along with his team, an ULFA hideout at Tongona village under the Kakopathar police station on March 15,2011. The police officer was hit by two bullets fired by militants and he died on the spot.Two members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) were also killed by Pranjal and his team in the fighting.

Photo: Bulan Nath, Roha