Patna: Family members of Mujahid Khan, CRPF jawan who was killed during a gun battle with militants in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar on Monday, returned a cheque worth Rs five lakh to the Bihar government, saying it is an insult to Khan’s martyrdom.

Mujahid Khan succumbed to injuries at a Srinagar hospital on Monday night. A terror attack early on Monday morning was thwarted by guards at the Karan Nagar CRPF camp but the militants managed to escape and holed up at a nearby building. The ensuing gun battle went on for over 20 hours resulting in the death of Khan and two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.

On Wednesday, a large crowd gathered at his native village Peero in Arrah district of Bihar when his body reached the family.

While the Nitish Kumar government wanted Khan to be given full state honour during his last rites, locals were seen fuming over the absence of any political leaders and officials at the ceremony.

A sub-divisional officer offered the Rs five lakh cheque to the grieving family during the funeral procession, which they turned down immediately. Mujahid’s brother Imtiaz Ahmad told News18, “My brother sacrificed his life for the country and see how he is being treated. Has he died consuming liquor? What will we do with this money?”

Meanwhile, the absence of any minister or government officials during the last rites soon turned into a political battle with opposition Rashtirya Janata Dal (RJD) accusing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of insensitivity.

When asked, state Urban Development Minister, Maheshwar Hajare feigned ignorance about anyone from the state dying in Jammu and Kashmir. RJD National Vice-President Shivanand Tiwary immediately demanded an apology from the minister and asked for all kinds of support to the bereaved family.

Away from the politics, Khan’s wailing father remembered how Mujahid turned down a marriage proposal and instead wanted to serve the country.

“He was at home in November and that was the last time I saw him. He talked to one of his friends on Monday morning and even sent a video clip of him fighting with the militants in Karan Nagar. I kept praying for his safety but only received the news of his demise after a few hours,” the bereaved father said.