By Pradeep Kumar

ITANAGAR, Oct 17: Justifying the common adages ‘Der aaye durust aaye’ (Better late than never) and ‘Good deeds never go unrewarded’, Defence Ministry ultimately recognized brave haviladar Shere Thapa of Indian Army’s 2 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles (No. 4039009 of 4th Garhwal Rifles Bn), by building a plate with his name at Delhi’s National War Memorial.

Former BJP president Tai Tagak and local youth Tai Appa had paid floral tributes to martyr Thapa at National War Memorial in New Delhi on October 16 (in picture).

It may be recalled here that the then RD Minister Tanga Byaling had taken me to Taksing circle in a helicopter and while flying over Tama Chung Chung ridge in Middle sector (Upper Subansiri district), he had explained the tall tell history of martyr Thapa, which I had broken to the world through ANI on 19.10.2012 – Forgotten Sino-India War hero Shere Thapa is no less a martyr than Jaswant Singh Rawat.

Hiding in a very advantageous position in Tama Chung Chung ridge on 19.11.1962, Thapa with his light machine gun under the guidance of his commanding officer 2nd Lt Amar Patil had killed one after another unsuspecting Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers whose corpses had piled up in Ngo stream, source of Subansiri River, as it failed to carry them, but there was none to count.

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 solider lying on the heap along with his colleagues fired, killing him instantly.

The Chinese had respectfully buried him and left a small note in Chinese on a bamboo plaque in respect praising his bravery. But Thapa’s bravery was not recognized as he had defied the ‘retreat order’.

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, Byaling’s wife, who had also vouched Thapa’s bravery.

While correct information on 1962 Indo-China War is still shrouded in mystery, 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, China would 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.

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 local had visited the area, collected his mortal remains to Lemiking, performed last rites and built the first memorial which was evidence of his heroism.

Confer gallantry award on 1962

War hero Shere Thapa: Gao

Raising the heroic deeds of  havildar Shere Thapa in Lok Sabha during question hour, Arunachal Eastern parliamentary Lok Sabha member Tapir Gao had pleaded for granting gallantry award to him posthumously as published in 25.03.2021 edition of this daily.

The Indo-China War fought in Tawang, Subansiri and Wallong sectors. Though Indian Army was unsuccessful in two sectors, but Thapa at Tama Chung Chung ridge in Subansiri sector had killed 79 PLA jawans and injured 155 others on 19.11.62.

The Chinese radio while announcing this next day had hinted that Tahpa’s soul must by wondering in heaven,” Gao said, adding his commanding officer Col (Retd) Amar Patil, now living in Pune, has written to the GoI in this respect”, to the applause of many members, MP Gao had told this over telephone from Delhi.

It is worth mentioning here that MP Gao, on being apprised about Thapa, had called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on 25.09.20 and submitted a letter requesting him to grant him gallantry award posthumously to the great martyr, as highlighted by this daily on 28.09.20. The minister had assured to study properly to take a final decision.

MP Gao had enclosed copy of a letter written by Thapa’s commanding officer Patil written to this editor, which reads:

“I would like to bring to your kind attention to the missing glorious chapter of our brave martyr Hav Shcre Thapa (Nol3710603W) of 2 JAK RIF who had killied 155 Chinese Jawans on 18th October 1962 in Upper Subanisiri sector (Tama Chung Chung ridge) of Arunachal Pradesh during 1962 Chinese aggression in Arunachal Pradesh.

“A detailed account of the war history is described by Col (Retd.) Amar Patil, VSM, who had commanded Hav Thapa as 2nd lieutenant at Tahila during 1962 war where he mentions that the great soldier is revered in the area for fighting till death to protect our motherland. Political interpreter Chader Mangha along with many villagers, who carried supplies, arms and ammunition for Thapar’s Army section, were witness to his bravery. The local folklore says that the corpses of Chinese soldiers were so much piled up that the stream (Ngo, source of Subansiri River) failed to carry them. The local people even built a memorial at Taksing in his honour, mentioned Mangha’s daughter. Even the Chinese had respectfully buried and placed a Chinese inscription over his grave praising his bravery.

“As we await information on 1962 Indo-china war, with such conclusive evidences about Hav Thapa, the Government of India should consider awarding gallantry award posthumously to the great martyr. This recognition would go a long way in highlighting the bravery of Indian Army’ across the world.

After repeated pleas of this editor, the BRO had built a memorial which was unveiled by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on 06.01.22. The CM after unveiling the bust statue of great warrior of 1962 Indo-China war havildar Shere Thapa  had twitted on Facebook: “Little we know about havildar Shere Thapa, who single handedly delayed the waves of assault of Chinese Army for hours during 1962 war. It was at the Rio Bridge in between Taksing and Nacho in Upper Subansiri district that the brave heart laid down his life fighting for the country. Heartiest tribute to late havildar Shere Thapa”.

“Hav Shere Thapa, born in Nepal on 27.12.1928, had served in J and K Regiment Special Force from 27.12.45 to 31.12.56 and became part of Indian Army on 01.01.1957. He qualified in MR-1.ACE-1 and TTT-1 to get promoted as havildar on 01.05.1962. He was part of A Company and appointed as platoon havildar under subedar Sher Bahadur.

“In November 1962, he was deployed in protective patrol in Tama Chung Chung ridge near Rio Bridge in Upper Subhansiri Valley covering the track coming from Indo-China border,” according to his commanding officer.

Indian soldiers used to be occasional visitors, friendly with locals and take their help for reconnaissance of the border areas even today. 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, they had admitted continuing do so even today, but their services during the war were neither recognized nor remunerated.

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 Sikh solider 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.

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