Minister steps in to help slain VDC member's son

Jammu: Coming to the aid of a slain VDC member's teenage son, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has offered to pay for the education of the boy who is finding it difficult to pursue his studies as the family is in dire straits financially.

17-year-old Sunak's father, who was a village defence committee (VDC) member, was gunned down by militants in 2001.

Yesterday, Sunak's mother Nima Devi, who had to take up odd jobs for survival, said he has scored 92 per cent marks in class 10 examinations but cannot continue his studies for the want of money.

"So many people came forward to help the son of a terrorist who attacked Parliament when he scored good marks, but nobody has so far announced support to my son," she said yesterday.

Appreciating Sunak for scoring good marks despite all odds, Minister of State, PMO, Jitendra Singh today announced he will bear all the expenses of his further studies.

"Taking immediate cognisance, I immediately called up Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur and conveyed to him that as an MP of the area, we will bear entire expenses of his further studies," Singh told PTI here today.

Singh, who is an MP from Udhampur-Doda-Kathua constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, said, "I told DC, Udhampur Shahid Iqbal to convey it to his family from my side."

"I want to become an air force officer and serve my country by fighting terrorism," he said, adding he wants to avenge his father's death not with the gun but with pen.

Singh said all support needed to fulfill his dreams will be provided. "He has made the district proud. He deserves appreciation," he said.

Singh said he is already supporting such students in his constituency and outside.

"In Katra, I have provided insurance cover to 200 school children under accidental cover scheme," he said adding school bags and uniforms are also distributed to them.

"We will be distributing one laptop each to 'One-Teacher Schools' (Eklavya Vidyalayas) in next two to three weeks," Singh said.