Forgotten Sino-India War hero Shere Thapa is no less a martyr than Jaswant Singh Rawat

Itanagar, Oct. 19 (ANI): His light machine gun boomed relentlessly, like a roaring tiger. One after another unsuspecting Chinese soldiers were killed and fell into the Ngo River without anyone to count. The day was October 18 half-a-century ago.

A brave Shere Thapa of the Indian Army's 2 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, hiding in a very advantageous position, fired non-stop as his lone soldier-mate continued changing the carbines.

The People's Liberation Army of China had sneaked through the Tama Chung Chung Ridge. Thapa had positioned himself on a vertical slope - invincible high mountain ridge on one side, steep slope down to the Ngo stream, the source of the Subansiri River, on the other side. He had located the most strategic place, either to stop or kill the advancing Chinese soldiers.

Thapa did not notice anymore Chinese after emptying all magazines with the fired brash khokas lying scattered. He confidently came out of his bunker for a recce. Death was waiting for him. He peeped towards the heap of corpses with great satisfaction. A wounded, but alive Chinese soldier, lying on the heap along with his colleagues fired, killing him instantly.

The corpses of the Chinese soldiers were piled up so much that the river failed to carry them. This is the folklore. The great soldier is highly revered in the area for his gallantry act.

Comparatively, brave Thapa was no less a war hero than subedar Jaswant Singh Rawat (No. 4039009 of the 4th Garhwal Rifles Bn), who had fought a lone battle against the invading Chinese in Eastern Sector (Tawang). He was conferred the highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra, for his bravery. Jaswant Garh, a few km ahead of the pass, stands tall today as a testimony to his heroism.

Locals claim that when the Indian troops retreated from Nurangang, Rawat was the only solider who refused to buzz from his post. With the help of local girls, Sela and Nura, he managed to stave off the enemy advance for 72 hours.

Located at an advantageous position on a hilltop overlooking the two river valleys, Rawat positioned himself in a long trench with guns and enough ammunition. He kept running from one end to another firing at the enemy from one point after the other. The Chinese realized that the Indian Army had retreated after the girls' father betrayed Rawat. The invaders in local outfits surrounded his position and captured him. He was tied to a tree with a telephone wire and beheaded. Sela escaped and jumped off a hilltop. The place later came to be known asSelaPass.Nura was captured and taken away by the invaders.

Jagjit Prasad Jain, who died in Dec 2009, after serving the state for 59 years since 1950, had set up P J Canteen at Kimin to supply PDS items to inaccessible areas. Damodar Saram was manager of his canteen at Jang in Tawang district. Despite order to close down the canteen, Sarma stayed back and heed himself behind the huge stock of rice bags. Sela and Nura had informed Samra that the Chinese had tied Rawat to a post and killed him before proceeding towards Bomdila.

Sarma, who saw the mortal remains of Rawat, had narrated his experience to Jain (Jain's manager saw Jaswant Singh's mortal remains, Beyond the Horizon, 08-12-2010).

While the Army's official version significantly differs, but legend has it that the Chinese troops after killing Rawat beheaded him and carried his torso as a trophy after he had stood alone against them, firing from a .303 rifle. After the ceasefire, the Chinese commander, impressed by Rawat's bravery, returned the head along with a brass bust of the gallant soldier. The bust is now installed at the site of the battle. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2002.

Thapa would have been of the same rank today had his saga of gallantry been recognized. Such discrimination is shameful for the consecutive Arunachal Pradesh and Central governments, particularly the Indian Army.

Political interpreter Chader Mangha along with many villagers, who carried supplies, arms and ammunition for Thapa's Army section, were witness to his bravery. Mangha, who died in 1994,was given a commendation certificate by the GoI in recognition of his service to the nation and promoted to the rank of political assistant. He had also narrated the entire episode to his daughter Yating Byaling a resident of Gosing Taying village under Taksing circle, wife of RD Minister Tanga Byaling. Byaling also vouch of the bravery of Thapa and the village folk.

Even the Chinese had respectfully buried him and left a small note praising his bravery. Why none ever bothered to honour his brave act, even posthumously is intriguing? I have high respect for Rawat as he was a great martyr, but Thapa deserves equal honour.

While correct information on 1962 Indo-China War is still shrouded in mystery, but conclusive evidences are proof of the pitch battle, beyond Tawang and Walong (Tibet-Burma-India tri-junction) sectors.

Villagers inhabiting the Indo-China border claim that the PLA had sent its troops through passes, including Taksing, Mechuka, Anini, etc where the forces camped waiting for orders. Had the war prolonged,Chinawould have launched a multi-pronged attack but withdrew its forces after cessation of firing, following 29 days (Oct 18 to Nov 16, 1962) of fierce battle, leading to the humiliating defeat of the Indian Army.

Supply line was cut off following retreat order which never reached the duo. Left with no food and insufficient ammunition, they feared any eventuality and decided to fight till death. Thapa sacrificed his life in Middle sector (Upper Subansiridistrict) while protecting Mother India. His mortal remains were brought to Lemiking, last rites performed and a grave built there. The neglected grave and a bridge named after him are evidences of his heroism.

"The first bridge, named after soldier Shere Thapa, with a 600m steep climb...." is the reference about him with picture of his grave found in 'Secrets of Subansiri, Himalayan Club, recoding the 2005 expedition report by a group of trekkers to famous Buddhist pilgrimage Takpa Shiri; Arunachal Expedition - Takpa Shiri; In Search of Old Pilgrimage Route to Takpa Siri 2005 and India 2005 - Alpine Journal.

Indian Army had sizeable presence in Tawang sector connected by road and the saga of Rawat's valour came to limelight as he courageously prevented the PLA's movement expecting reinforcement.

Unprepared Army HQs failed in sending reinforcement as the fleeing Indian forces retreated while brave Rawat stayed back. Jaswantgarh, few km ahead of the battle field, is proof of his patriotism. Any one passing through the Bhalukpong-Tawang road, even a general, without fail salutes the great martyr, believing his soul still guards the frontier.

Thapa knew well that without any road and communication then, expecting any support from the base camp was well neigh impossible. He decided to face the enemies as a brave soldier of Mother India. Shouldn't he be recognized, albeit late, and due honour given by bringing his heroic story before the nation.

Septuagenarians in border villages still recall their unforgettable memory when Chinese forces appeared on the horizon of the high hills. They could not understand anything as Indian soldiers used to be occasional visitors, friendly with them and take their help for reconnaissance of the border areas.

The same practice continued today as was told by the war veterans of Kibithoo area. Septuagenarians Menjum Meyor and Thega Meyor of Anjaw district's Kaho, the last Indian village located on Tibet-Burma-India tri-junction, had assisted the Indian Army in digging trenches, carrying arms and ammunition, escorting them for maintaining surveillance when the Battle of Walong was fought at Namti. During an interview recently, they had admitted continuing do so even today, but their services during the war were neither recognized nor remunerated.

Their plain speaking begging with 'Jai Hind' reflected patriotism: "We do not recognize anyone as our forefathers were living inIndiaand we have followed suit. We are son of the soil."

Shockingly, 75-year-old Mayaso Pul had lost his left hand after ammunition carrying on shoulder got accidentally ignited. He regretted while talking to me: "Neither was I paid any remuneration nor any certificate given to me as a freedom fighter, though I have become handicapped for my life and living in penury." Pul along with villagers had treated a solider (Sardarji) with bullet injuries on his neck and facilitated his return to the mainland.

I presumed that martyr Shere Thapa, Pul and Mayors might not have a god father or a senior Army officer to recommend their brave act. But with facts surfacing, it is still not late to honour them. By Pradeep Kumar (ANI)