Bengaluru: The 1971 Indo-Pak war changed the map of Asia and had a considerable impact on the geopolitics, but Sapper Abdul Hamid, who was injured in the knee, is still waiting for the fulfilment of a promise made to him by the state government in 1979.
In Bangladesh on December 15, 1971, Sapper Hamid who was with the Military Engineering Services (MES) fell into a trench, which resulted in severe injuries to both his knees.
On December 16, 1971, Pakistan surrendered and he was taken to Delhi for treatment.
Hamid, who was then 25 years old, had not imagined that the injury would one day compel him to quit the armed forces.
“In 1979, after I left the military services, I was promised a piece of land by the state government, but it has been 40 years now. The government now maintains that I am only 40% disabled and only those defence personnel with over 50% disability are entitled to receive the grant,” he said.
Though he is receiving the pension on time and the army has done enough for him, he has a grievance with successive state governments for not fulfilling the promise made to him 38 years ago.
“On November 3, I sent a letter to the defence minister and the chief minister of Karnataka to address the issue. I am still waiting for a reply,” he said.
Recently, in the veterans rally on November 18, he was awarded a scooter by the army. He said that the medical expenses are heavy on his pocket.
A top official in the army welfare department said that Sapper Hamid is not entitled to be allotted land as he is 40% disabled, while the rules say such a grant can be given to only those who are 50% disabled. “This was communicated to Sapper Hamid and he must understand it,” the source said. Sapper Hamid was awarded war wounded medal for his contribution in the 1971 war.
