Martyred at a Young Age

Tanil Borgohain was married for only one and half years when he was killed in an encounter with terrorists in J&K. His wife Ritamoni Borgohain still remembers his last visit, when he promised to take her and their daughter with him the next time, which never came.

Published on:

16 Dec 2022, 5:41 am

ALL FOR VALOUR

His daughter was only 6 months old when Tanil Borgohain left for his duty, without knowing that would be the last time he saw his family. Martyr Tanil Borgohain, of Dhakuakhana in Lakhimpur district, served in 3 Assam Regiment and died while on duty on 14 June, 2005. He was shot in the neck during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. His wife Ritamoni Borgohain shares with us details about the late martyr.

Can you tell us about the incident in which your husband met his death?

My husband late Tanil Borgohain was posted in Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, when we received news of his death. I clearly remember the date. It was 14 June, 2005. I was told he was on patrol with his team mates when they engaged in an encounter with the terrorists. During exchange of fire, he was shot in the neck. The other members of the party did not suffer any casualty; this was what was told to me. He died within one and half years of our marriage.

After his demise, what kind of financial difficulty did you face? Did you get any aid from the Government?

When the bread winner of the family dies, the family faces a lot of difficulties. It was the same for me also. Yes, we did get financial aid from the government after his death.

When was the last time your husband came home for vacation? Can you share any fond memory you have of him?

My husband came home last time in 2004, one week after the birth of our daughter. He last saw her when she was six months old. In one and half years of our marriage he came home only 3 times. The people from defense forces do not get the time to come on vacation. After marriage he came for only 3 times till his daughter's birth. So, we did not get much time with each other. As a memory I only remember his face. We did not get to go on vacations. Before going for the last time he told his daughter to grow up soon so that the next time he comes, he will take us with him. I clearly remember, we were going to see him off from Dhakuakhana to Guwahati in the night bus service, when we had this conversation. This is the last memory I have of him. Who knew this would be the last time we will be seeing him alive.

Before your husband's demise, did he tell you he was going to Kashmir and to take care of your safety?

When he last came home, he said that he was posted in Jammu & Kashmir in 3 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, where he said the duty will be tough. Before going, all he said was that he will come back soon to take us with him.

When was the last time you talked to your husband? How was he as a person, and as a member of the society?

We did not have a phone at that time, back in 2004. We used to send letters and by the time the reply arrives, the person also reaches home for his vacations. We mostly communicated through letters. As a person, he was very caring and was a good person.

He was very free in showing his emotions and did not hesitate to show his love towards his family. He was a very social and friendly person. His friends miss him a lot. He loved to live in harmony with everybody. He loved to laugh and enjoy with his friends. The people from our village also loved talking with him.

What about his hobbies? When he came home on leave, what did he love to do the most?

When he came home for vacation, he did not do any work, as his vacations were very short. He used to say that the food in army is very spicy so he loved eating homemade food and our local delicacies. He preferred eating boil food during his stay.

Following your husband's demise, did you get any benefit from the Indian army or from the Assam Regiment, in regards to supporting the studies of your daughter?

As we know, all children belonging to defense family get scholarships, my daughter also receives the same. Apart from that we did not get any aid. We received monetary help from the Assam Government at the time of his death and now I receive pension. In this way we are making our ends meet.

Did you get any help from the government in regard to a job? Do you think the pension that you get from the government is enough to support your daughter's education?

It is almost 18 years since my husband's demise, but I did not get any help from the Government. As a wife of a martyr, I sincerely wish the government should have helped me. Presently I am working in a polyclinic of an ex-serviceman here in North Lakhimpur, as a female attendant. Me and my daughter, we stay now at Lakhimpur. As a single mother, I have faced lot of difficulties. It would have been really helpful if I got some aid from the government in regard to a job. I cannot say the pension is sufficient to manage my daughter's education.

In your area, your husband is the first martyr. Has the local villagers or the local authorities built any memorial or have they named any street in your late husband's name? Do you have anything to say in this regard to the government?

Yes, he is the first martyr in our area. We have built a statue in Sorguri M.E School where he studied. It is made inside the campus of the school. I have only one request to the government, to aid me in rebuilding the statue of my late husband. I am very saddened by the fact that, the statue is now broken as it is almost 18 years since we built. With the pension money I cannot think of rebuilding the same as we are barely making our ends meet. I will be elated if the government helps us in this regard.

Lastly, as a wife of a martyr, what is your feeling when you are called for meetings or gatherings? Do you have anything to say?

I have mixed feelings. As a wife of a martyr, I receive so much love and respect from the people. I get this only because of my husband. I feel good and sad at the same time. My daughter is now 18 years old. She is in H.S 2nd year in Kendriya Vidyalaya, North Lakhimpur.

Nobody has taken an interview of me before. Through your newspaper I want to share that it is almost 18 years, but I am still working in the private sector. As a wife of a martyr, I wish the Government would aid me in getting a government job so that I can secure the future of my daughter. I also request the government to aid in my daughter's studies and help secure her future.