30-year-old Sangita's plight and struggle began a little over a year into marriage and with child to look after
It took 15 years for the Indian Army to reverse one of its own order – an order on which hinged the fate of Sangita Das, the wife of one of the force's former sepoy Pradip Das.
In May 2001, the soldier left his wife and a small daughter behind in rural Assam after spending his annual leave to report back to his unit, 5 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, never reached there and his whereabouts remain unknown even today.
A little over a year into marriage and with child to look after, 30-year-old Sangita's plight and struggle began since then.
Personnel from 5 RR initially visited her thrice to inquire into why the soldier didn't report back. Later, Pradip was declared a 'deserter', thus, blocking all benefits that a soldier's wife is entitled to in case of such an untoward incident.
Born and raised in a remote village Rangmahal in Assam's Kamrup district, Sangita had studied up to class eight only. Post the incident, coupled by her father's demise later, she was forced to work as a house maid in Guwahati. She kept picking odd jobs, including working in a noodle making plant for a paltry sum of Rs 3000 a month but didn't give in with the Army.
With 5 RR declaring her husband a 'deserter', assistance came from nowhere until with the help of her relatives she approached the Armed Forces Tribunal's (AFT) Guwahati Bench in 2004. Nine years of legal battle later, in 2013, the AFT ruled in her favour and it seemed her financial plight was over. That didn't turn true as no benefits were passed to her despite the order .
On December 9, if not for an Ex Seviceman Rally at Narangi town in Assam, the reprieve looked elusive. She raised her grievance at the rally. Following this, the Army's veterans cell got orders from Major General AK Jha, the General Officer Commanding of 51, Sub Area. 5 RR was involved and 15 years later, it republished orders amending Pradip's status from 'Deserter' to 'Missing'.
Finally, her Pension Payment Order was issued on Mar 21 this year. Sangita has now been given a job at the headquarters of 51 Sub Area at Narangi and her daughter admitted to Army Public School in the same cantonment. According to Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton, the defence Pro at Guwahati, Army is bearing all the expenditure of School fees, uniform and books for the child.
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