Author: Masuma Bharmal
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 26, 2002
Shock and pride. Residents of Umej
village in Junagadh district felt both sentiments as news of the death
of Allahrakha Unadjam, the SRP constable of Group Three Mandana (District
Banaskantha), Company 'C', while fighting terrorists at Akshardhamm reached
them on Wednesday.
Allahrakha's body will reach his
native Umej village around 7 in the evening and he will be given a guard
of honour.
On hearing the news of the SRP jawan's
martyrdom, the entire village - with a population of around 7,000 joined
hands for a clean-up operation. Sulemanbhai, a family friend who is quite
close, to Allahrakha's father Hajibhai Aliyas Unadjam, said, "Apart from
cleaning all the roads, water has also been sprinkled in the entire village.
After all, Allahrakha laid down his life for the country." The entire village
will observe a bandh on Thursday as a mark of respect'
"The news of Allahrakha's death
has not been broken to his parents and family. Hajibhai has only been told
that his son is injured and is being brought to the village. The family
will be informed when the body reaches the village", Sulemanbhai said.
"The last rites will take place
at Datarpir Dargah and people have even started coming from Una city to
pay homage to the martyr," Sulemanbhai said.
"Though the son of a farmer, Allahrakha
always dreamt of joining the police or Army," said Hakimbhai Jummabhai,
the tutor who taught Allahrakha from Class I to VII. "Allahrakha was a
good student. His favourite subjects were Maths, Science and English. In
Maths, he used to score above 90-95 per cent," recalls Hakimbhai.
Principal of Shanter High School
Dilipsinh Virsinh Jadav said, "Allahrakha was very good at sports besides
being a good student."
"After completing his Class XII
from Shah H D High School Una, Allahrakha immediately joined the SRP. His
father was very happy about it", Sulemanbhai recalls.
