POONCH MIRROR NEWS DESK MARCH 16,2026
POONCH, Mar 22 – Nearly nine years after he made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, the family of Martyr Constable Rajinder Kumar of the Jammu and Kashmir Police continues to await the fulfilment of a promise that found official expression through a government communication the naming of a government school in his honour.
For the martyr’s family, particularly his elderly mother, the proposed renaming carries deep emotional significance. It represents not merely a symbolic gesture, but a lasting tribute to a son who laid down his life for the nation, and whose memory, they believe, deserves to inspire generations of students in his hometown of Poonch.
On September 11, 2016, Poonch town witnessed a fidayeen attack near the under-construction Mini Secretariat complex. Security forces responded swiftly to the assault, but the intense exchange of fire left several personnel critically injured.
Among them was Constable Rajinder Kumar, part of the police contingent deployed at the site. He sustained grievous injuries during the operation and attained martyrdom while performing his duty. He was 36
The attack also claimed the lives of two soldiers of the Indian Army, underscoring the grave security challenges that personnel face in the region. For the people of Poonch, the incident remains etched in collective memory as a day of both tragedy and heroism.
In recognition of the sacrifices made by security personnel, the Office of the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Poonch, issued an official communication on June 18, 2022. The order, numbered CEO/P&S/11218-20, referred to earlier correspondence from August 2021 and directed all Zonal Education Officers to obtain resolutions from concerned Panchayats and municipal bodies regarding the naming of government schools after martyrs.
The communication was unambiguous. It instructed the concerned officials to submit the required resolutions within one week to enable the process to move forward. Copies were marked to the District Development Commissioner, Poonch, and the Director of School Education, Jammu, for information.
Yet, despite the passage of nearly three years since the issuance of that order and almost nine years since Rajinder Kumar’s martyrdom the proposal remains unimplemented.
The prolonged delay has prompted members of the local community to bring the matter to the attention of the authorities once more.
Mr Parupkar Singh Isher, a youth activist from Poonch, submitted a formal reminder to the Chief Education Officer on March 22, 2025, urging immediate action on the long-pending proposal.
In his communication, Mr Isher drew attention to the earlier order and the lack of follow-through. He wrote:
“I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of utmost importance regarding the renaming of a government school after Martyr Rajinder Kumar. As you may recall, your office had issued an order vide number CEO/P&S/11218-20 dated 18-06-2022, under the subject ‘Naming of Government Schools after Martyrs’, with reference to letter number CEO/P&S/13516-19 dated 04/08/2021.”
He further noted:
“However, it has been observed that despite the lapse of a considerable amount of time, no action has been taken to implement the said order. It is imperative that the school be renamed after Martyr Rajinder Kumar, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.”
The reminder also highlighted a deeply personal dimension the expressed wish of the martyr’s mother to see her son’s name commemorated through a public institution.
“This gesture would not only be a fitting tribute to the martyr but also serve as a source of inspiration for the students and the community at large,” the representation stated.
Across India, several state governments and local administrations have named educational institutions, roads, and public facilities after fallen soldiers and police personnel as a mark of respect and remembrance. Administrators often note that such initiatives serve a dual purpose paying tribute to national heroes while instilling values of courage, service, and patriotism among younger generations.
In neighbouring districts of Jammu and Kashmir, similar renaming exercises have been carried out over the years. Against this backdrop, residents of Poonch say the continued delay in this case raises uncomfortable questions about the execution of official directives.
Speaking to Poonch Mirror, Mr Isher said:
“It is not merely about installing a nameplate on a school building. This is about acknowledging sacrifice and preserving memory. The martyr’s mother wishes to see her son honoured in this way during her lifetime. That is a sentiment the administration must understand and respect.”
Repeated attempts to obtain comments from the Office of the Chief Education Officer, Poonch, regarding the status of the proposal did not yield an official response at the time of filing this report. Officials in the district administration also declined to comment on whether the matter was currently under consideration.
For the family of Martyr Rajinder Kumar, the issue transcends administrative files and procedural formalities.
Nearly nine years after the tragedy that claimed her son’s life, his elderly mother continues to hold on to a simple hope that somewhere in Poonch, a government school will one day bear his name, reminding future generations of the courage and sacrifice that defined his final moments.
Until that day arrives, the promise remains unfulfilled and the wait continues.
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