By Manoj Singh
DEED, Jan 24: The local people of Neelam in particular and Yachuli Assembly constituency in general have appealed to the Pema Khandu-led government for construction of the first State war memorial in name of martyr Neelam Tebi with tourist facilities at Neelam in a land identified by locals.
Speaking to the media, the Advisor to Chief Minister and former State BJP president Tai Tagak informed that martyr Neelam Tebi hailed from Neelam village under Deed circle.
Neelam Tebi, who was earlier known as Tebi Dafla as enrolled in Assam Rifles in 1958, fought battle against Chinese PLA in 1962 between Kejemeni-Jimithang and Bumla, laid his life and became a martyr.
“The family members of the martyr have identified a land for establishment of a war memorial in his name and as such I along with Major General (Retd) Jarken Gamlin, Lt Col TC Tayum, a team of Nyishi Elite Society, led by its vice-president (HQ) Too Anuj, secretary general Heri Maring and Yachuli ADC Toko Babu and his team inspected the identified place and shown to us for the said purpose,” said Tagak.
Tagak said Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced to recognize Neelam Tebi, who laid down his life for the cause of the nation’s security in 1962 in Tawang.
“The announcement was made at a recently-held conference of the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) at Yachuli in Lower Subansiri. We need military input, so Maj Gen (Retd) Jarken Gamlin and Lt Col TC Tayun, who have been working in this field, also shared their experience and knowledge for the said purpose,” he said.
“The family members have been moving from pillar to post for the details of martyr Tebi. So after lots of hard labour put forward during the celebration of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, we have been able to locate several voluntary porters, war veterans and two more martyrs including Moder Tayeng, whose act of gallantry record was found and Lamtu Tikak, who also fought in Ladak. All these martyrs have been recognized by the Govt. of India in 2018,” he said.
“The Pema Khandu government has taken the matter of giving recognition to the war heroes and unsung heroes seriously. The government wants to give due respect and recognition so that our youths can know them and get inspirations,” he added.
The Neelam community of the area is happy and the members of the community are donating land free of cost for the purpose and the Chief Minister has issued a direction for inspection of the land and submission of a report for further action, added Advisor to CM, Tai Tagak.
“The place, which has been identified and shown to us, has been found to be the best and a suitable one. It is a good place for promotion of eco-tourism and the people of Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey and surrounding areas would visit the area. This would be the first civil war memorial for the war heroes and would be the best tribute to them, I think,” Tagak further said.
Yachuli ADC Toko Babu said, “The people of area have approached the administration for allotment of land for the purpose and officials visited and inspected the land and we are pursuing for land allotment. A proposal has been made for construction of a war memorial and put it in the tourist circuit. The people are donating land free of cost to the government.”
Babu said he has discussed the matter with the locals. The official said he will pursue the matter of land allotment in the government’s name so that no complicacy takes place in the later stage and the project comes up smoothly.The executive members of Neelam Welfare Society (NWS), the GBs and local residents, youth leaders of the area have thanked the State government and appealed to Chief Minister Khandu for immediately approving the project and fulfil the commitment made at the NES conference in Yachuli to give due recognition, regards and respect to martyr Neelam Tebi and develop the place as a tourist destination.
