Bhubaneswar, Dec 16: Two martyrs of ‘Operation Gosmah’ namely Susanta Gouda and SN Panda who made Supreme Sacrifice for the nation during the violent retaliatory measure against the Maoists’, remained unrecognized for over 16 years.
While tears from the bereaved kin’s eyes almost dried up after the martyrdom of their dear ones for the nation, neither the Odisha Police nor the Government came ahead then to recognize the great souls.
With the humble submission of the brave cops’ families, ADG, Operations, Sanjeeb Panda on Tuesday urged the DGP to sponsor the martyr’s name for the President’s Gallantry Medal this time.
Apart from it, the ADG has proposed 14 other cops’ names, including 6 IPS Officers, four constables, one Subedar, a Deputy Subedar, one Havildar and a Sub-Inspector, who had shown utmost bravery during the hammering strike on the Red rebellions under the aegis of the ‘Operation Gosmah’.
The co-ordinated team was however successful in recovering a huge cache of Arms & ammunition from the Maoists, looted from 4 police armories in Odisha’s Nayagarh district on Feb 15, 2008.
Worth mentioning, PK Satpathy, Assistant Commandant, Special Organised Group(SOG) who was also martyred during the ‘Operation Gosmah’ on February 16, 2008, was subsequently awarded the Ashok Chakra. However, martyr Susanta Gouda, Constable of Berhampur Police and SN Panda, a Sepoy of 7th Batallion OSAP were almost forgotten then, who shed their own blood for the nation in line of duty.
With the proposal for the coveted President’s medal, the warriors’ family members are now all smile, wiping up tears with a joy of pride and accomplishments, their departed souls have ever earned dedicating absolute service to the nation.
