New Delhi, October 16: The Army clarified on Sunday that Agniveer Amritpal Singh had committed suicide; hence, as per military protocol, he was not given military honours at the funeral.
It is noteworthy that recently an attempt was made to create a debate about Amritpal Singh, a resident of Kotli Kalan, Punjab, that the country’s first Agniveer was not given due respect.
From the Aam Aadmi Party to the media and social media to Satyapal Malik, former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, all worked to publicise that Amritpal Singh was not given a final farewell with military honours because he was against Agniveer’s new army recruitment scheme.
The Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab government, on its part, has announced an assistance amount of โน 1 crore and has announced to give the martyr’s status to the deceased.
The Army clarified on Sunday that Amritpal Singh, who was recruited as a sentry in 10 JAK Rif (Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry), had committed suicide by shooting himself while on duty. Therefore, military honours were not given at his funeral because death due to self-inflicted injury is not given the honour of martyrdom.
In the statement issued by the Army, it has been strongly stated that the Army does not discriminate among the soldiers on the basis of whether they were recruited before or after the implementation of the Agneepath scheme.
The Army’s Nagrota Headquarters had earlier also said that Sentry Amritpal Singh died due to a self-inflicted bullet while on sentry duty in the Rajouri sector.
Clearing the confusion spread by this, the Army has again expressed its condolences and said that “it is a serious loss for the family and the Indian Army that Agniveer Amritpal Singh committed suicide by shooting himself while on sentry duty.”
The Army has clarified, “As per the existing arrangements, after conducting the medico-legal procedures, the mortal remains were taken to their original place for cremation with an escort party under Army arrangements.”
The Army statement also clarified that, as per the prevalent Army order of 1967, soldiers who commit suicide are not entitled to a military funeral. It is clear that if any soldier takes a step like suicide under unfortunate circumstances, then he is not given military honours like a martyr.
The Army says that this issue is being continuously followed without any discrimination.
Clarifying the situation further, the Army said, “As per data, there has been an average annual loss of between 100 and 140 soldiers since 2001, where deaths were due to suicide or self-inflicted injuries; in such cases, “military funerals were not allowed.”
It is also clear here that priority is given to the distribution of financial assistance and relief as per eligibility, including immediate financial relief for funerals.
The Army says it does not give full explanations about soldiers who commit suicide because it tarnishes its reputation. “In this hour of grief, we do not make the cause of death public and keep it confidential to maintain the honour and dignity of the family.”
