Krishna Dutta: Killed by terrorists in Manipur

Junmoni Dutta goes on, “The Army did not mention about any job to me. I did apply a few times, but my applications got rejected as there was no vacancy. At that time, my boy was an infant and the family members also dissuaded me from pursuing a job then. I was only 27 years old when my husband died, so I had no one to guide me. My family was also very economically backward.

Havildar Krishna Dutta of Jorhat in Assam was posted in Manipur when he died on 30 May, 2010 during a gunfight with terrorists. He was posted in the 9 Assam Regiment. His wife JunmoniDutta shares memories of her husband with Melange.

Krishna Dutta left behind his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and his six-month-old son at the time of his demise. For the family of Havildar Krishna Dutta who received the news via a telephone call, the news came as a shock to them. His body was received by the family three days after his demise with full honours. Along with him other members of his battalion had also lost their lives.

Recalling the night,Junmoni Dutta says, “My husband was initially posted at Jammu and Kashmir. Afew members of his battalion were dispatched to Imphal in Manipur and that was the last time I saw my husband. Before leaving for Manipur, he came to visit us and took a few belongings with him. While he was posted there, he used to call me and enquire about my and our children’s well-being. I remember it vividly; we were on a phone call on May 29. He said that the network connectivity was very bad as he was at a very hilly place. He informed me that he would be coming soon to visit us. That was the last phone call from him. I was very happy that I would get to meet my husband after a long time. But the next day when I called him to enquire when he would be reaching, I could not get through to him. I wondered as to what had happened and Manipur is not that far that it would take a whole day to reach home. All kinds of thoughts were coming into my mind, and I was not sure what to do. On 30^th May, 2010 at around 11 pm, I received a call from the Army stating that my husband was severely injured in an accident, and he was no more. The news came as a bolt of lightning for us. I was shocked beyond belief and did not know what to do, so I never asked who called me.”

She adds, “We received his body after three days with full honours. When I saw my husband’s body there was no injury mark on his body. If a person is severely injured in an accident and loses his life, there should be marks of injury. But I saw I gunshot wound in his ear, and this made me sure that he died of a gunshot wound.”

Junmoni Dutta further says, “My son was only six months old when my husband died. I was also only 27 years old and had no idea as to what to. At present I stay at Jorhat Kakojan with my son and my daughter. My daughter is in class 10 and my son is in class 7 now. I am working at Ex Servicemen Health Scheme office as Female Attendant in the reception, which is a contractual post and have been working for a year now. I am also receiving the beneficiary pension which has helped me a lot to run my family”.

The late Krishna Dutta was the first martyr from his village. The family have not built a memorial in his name.

“Our family have not made a memorial in my late husband’s name. But in a nearby Yuva Sangha, I have donated a sum of Rs 50,000 in my husband’s name. In our village, whenever somebody dies, the family which has the capacity, donates to this Yuva Sangha. The reason for not making the memorial is that if I see his memorial every day, it will remind me and my children that they do not have a father. I already have so many good memories with him, I got two `beautiful children because of him. I even do not stay in front of my children wearing white clothes, because I do not want to remind my children that their mother is a widow. Our village society has the mentality that once the husband dies, the wife’s colourful dream has gone with him and so she should wear white clothes. But I think that white clothes do not mean I have no life. I have to keep continuing my life for my two children, and I cannot show and remind them every day that their father is no longer with us”, says Junmoni Dutta.

She further says, “After my husband’s death, I got help from my neighbours and brother and sister-in-law. With their help I was able to raise my children. And the Officials from his battalion also helped us with opening two minor accounts, as well as my account. I did not have to take any tension, as all the official works were done on time. My children are also receiving the scholarship for their education. I also got the monetary grant after his demise which was of great help to me.”

Krishna Dutta was a good person. According to his wife Junmoni Dutta, the late martyr was loved by his neighbours and his relatives. When he was home for his vacation, he used to spend time with his family and with his friends. He loved to visit his near and dear ones, and he also used to help his wife in the household chores.

She also shares that when the late martyr left for his duty after his vacations, he would visit all the houses of his relatives and friends and bid them goodbye. The fellow villagers remember him as being a very friendly person, who was never afraid to shoulder any responsibility. He had a close-knit relation with everyone.

She says, “My husband loved and cared for me and our kids a lot. Ours was a love marriage, and so we had a very loving relation. I miss him all the time, but life has to go on. I have to live for my children, as they are the best gifts, I got from him.”

Junmoni Dutta goes on, “The Army did not mention about any job to me. I did apply a few times, but my applications got rejected as there was no vacancy. At that time, my boy was an infant and the family members also dissuaded me from pursuing a job then. I was only 27 years old when my husband died, so I had no one to guide me. My family was also very economically backward. My brother was also very small, so I had no one from whom to seek to seek guidance.”

She goes on, “The officials from his Battalion also come and visit us from time to time to enquire about our well-being. As a martyr’s wife I am also invited to various programmes organised by the Army. Last year on 19^th November I went to 240 Transit camp and stayed there for three days. The meeting was held at Barsapara Camp. We also stayed at Narengi camp.The expenses of our stay was given by the Army. As a wife of a martyr, I feel proud of my husband when they recall his name with great honour. I feel lucky to be his wife, and being able to raise his kids. But he left us too soon. 13 years have passed since he left us, but it still feels like yesterday.”

The Late Havildar Krishna Dutta will be remembered by his friends, family and fellow villagers for his supreme service to the nation.