Happiest day of my life, says wife
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 8: The festivities began at the house of Constable Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, a CoBRA commando from Jammu, as the news of his release from the captivity of the Naxals came out this evening.
As soon as the visuals of the Rakeshwar stepping out of an ambulance was aired by some news channels, there was no end to the happiness of the family members, their relatives, friends and neighbours, and everybody was celebrating in one way or other.
As per the reports, the son of the soil was released by the Naxals after a team of two eminent people, including a person from the tribal community, was nominated by the Chhattisgarh Government to secure his release.
After his release, the Jawan was brought to the Tarrem camp of the Central Reserve Police Force located in Bijapur, sources said, adding, after his complete medical examination and counseling, the Jawan will be sent on leave to his home so that he may come out of the trauma.
On safe release of the Jawan, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in PMO thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “A huge relief for the family as well as the entire # Jammu region. Thanks PM Sh @narendramodi. Thanks HM Sh @amitshah.,” he tweeted this evening.
As the news of his release came out, the relatives of the Jawan and his family members as well as neighbours started thronging his residence in Barnai to congratulate the family. Everybody was celebrating. The Jawan’s five-year-old daughter was seen kissing her father’s picture on a mobile phone.
The family members of the Jawan thanked the Central Government as well as Chhattisgarh Government for his safe release. “We came to know about release of Rakeshwar at about 5 pm from news channels but as no official information was received till then, we were susceptible. However, around 6.30, we received a phone call from an unknown number and on the phone was Rakeshwar himself,” said Abhimanyu Singh, brother in-law of the Jawan while speaking to Excelsior.
Abhimanyu said Rakeshwar first spoke to his wife Meenu Manhas, his 5-year-old daughter and also his mother. They enquired about his health and any torture by the Naxals and expressed satisfaction when he informed that he is all right and has no injury.
“We have not slept for the last four days, leave aside eating properly. We are satisfied to see him return to his camp hale and hearty. This was what all of us wanted,” said Manhas’ younger brother Sumit. He said it was a difficult phase for the family and “we are very thankful to God that it is over now”.
Speaking to Excelsior, Meenu Manhas said today is the happiest day of her life. Meenu said that from day one when the news of abduction of her husband came, she was hopeful of his return but as there was no statement coming from either Government or CRPF authorities, she was a little bit concerned.
“Now, we are eagerly waiting for his arrival at home. An impressive welcome will be given to him whenever he returns home,” she said with a smiling face and thanked the Government for his safe release.
Meanwhile, a police party led by a DySP of J&K Police also visited the family and offered sweets to them on safe release of the Commando.
Commando Rakeshwar had gone missing after the April 3 gunfight between Naxals and security personnel near Sukma-Bijapur border, following a deadly ambush in which 22 security personnel were killed while 31 others injured.
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