Martyrs Park inaugurated
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, March 24 2012: As part of the beautification drive of Leimakhong military garrison launched by General Officer Commanding of the Red Shield Division Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen, Rajeev Memorial Park was inaugurated today.

The park has been named as "Rajeev Park" as a tribute to (Late) 2 Lt Rajeev Sandhu, Maha Vir Chakra, the gallant martyr of the Assam Regiment who made the supreme sacrifice in Sri Lanka in July 1988 while serving as part of Red Shield Division.

It is said that the skilful terriers of Manipur under the leadership of their Commanding Officer Col K Biswas toiled hard and left no stone unturned to create the beautiful park next to a pond, which was once an undulating and rocky wasteland.

On July 19, 1988, 2 Lt Rajeev Sandhu of 7 Assam under 57 Mountain Division was leading a convoy from Madurang Keni Kolam to Mangani in Sri Lanka.

On the way, his jeep was suddenly fired upon by the militants with rockets, AK47s and 7.62mm rifles, which seriously wounded the officer with a direct hit of a rocket completely mutilating both his legs.

GOC Maj Gen Binoy Poonen and other army officers

Totally crippled and bleeding profusely, he tumbled out of the jeep with his 9mm carbine and crawled to a firing position.

Presuming that everyone in the vehicle had been killed, one of the militants came out of hiding and approached the jeep to pick up the weapons and ammunition.

Despite the fact that his legs were totally smashed and his body was perforated with bullets, 2 Lt Rajeev Sandhu, in an act that defies description and goes beyond the realms of imagination, lifted his carbine with his blood soaked hands, sprayed the militant with bullets and killed him.

He blunted every effort of the militants to come anywhere near his fallen comrades or their weapons.

For displaying conspicuous courage and making the supreme sacrifice, 2 Lt Rajeev Sandhu was honoured with the Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously.

The Rajeev Memorial Park was inaugurated by Mr & Mrs DS Sandhu, the proud parents of the martyr.

The statue of the Martyr was unveiled by Maj Gen RN Singh, Colonel of the Assam Regt and Arunachal Scouts.

The Ngongin Hut was inaugurated by Mrs Annie Poonnen and Siroy Lily Hut was inaugurated by Mrs Raka Singh while Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen inaugurated the fountain along the pond and the lighting system.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Brass Band of Assam Regimental Centre from Shillong and the Pipe Band and Jazz Band of Manipur Terriers presented heart rendering Patriotic tunes and songs which touched the souls of everyone present at the solemn occasion.

With the inauguration of the Rajeev Memorial Park in Leimakhong Military Garrison, the beauty of the station has been enhanced.

It will be pertinent to mention that with the new General Officer Commanding of the Red Shield Division the entire station has been given a tremendous face lift which will impress any visitor to the station.