This is how sisters of martyred soldiers celebrate Raksha Bandhan…

Raksha Bandhan, the festival of unbreakable bond between brother and sister, is being celebrated with great pomp across the country. Sisters are tying Raksha Sutra and wishing for a long life for their brothers. Raksha Bandhan festival is celebrated in a unique way in Sukma, a highly Naxal-affected area of Chhattisgarh. Sisters tie Rakhi to the statues of martyred soldiers. Sisters' eyes become moist on reaching the statues of their brothers. Let us tell you that on 19 July 2007, 24 soldiers were martyred in the Sukma Naxalite attack.

Among the martyred soldiers, three real brothers living in Errabor were also special police officers. Sankuri, the only sister of the three brothers, said that they lost 7 members of the family in Naxalite incidents. Four of the martyred soldiers were cousins. She said that 15 years ago, she had enthusiastically tied Rakhi to all the seven brothers together. Now every year on Raksha Bandhan, Sankuri ties a rakhi on the statues of the 7 martyred brothers with tearful eyes. Sankuri says that the martyred brothers are still alive in the hearts.

This is how the sisters of martyred brothers celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan

After tying a rakhi, the sister prays for her brothers. Since the Salwa Judum movement, Sankuri has lost seven brothers in different Naxalite incidents. According to the information received from the administration, statues of 10 martyred soldiers have been built in Errabor. They sacrificed their lives in the fight with the Naxalites. Every year on Raksha Bandhan, the sister comes to tie a rakhi on the statues of the police brothers. The sister does not forget to remember the martyred brothers even on the occasion of 15 august and 26 January. On Independence and Republic Day, the sister pays tribute by garlanding the statues of the martyred brothers.