SALEM: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable N Thirumurugan who died in Sukma district in Chattisgarh on Monday in the Maoist attack was always ready to do his duty. Born in a nondescript drought-torn Nallur-Thitatheri village in Salem district to being slain in the Maoist massacre Thirumurugan is indeed an unsung hero. Thirumurugan’s father Nallathambi told the press, “I told him to retire as he had served long enough to become eligible for lifelong pension, but my son refused saying it was a bit early and that he still had a lot to do in the service of the country”. N Thirumurugan is born to Nallathambi and Ponammal on June 20, 1981. Thirumurgan grew up in hard circumstances. Nallathambi owns 1.5 acres and practices rainfed farming and works for daily wages. Ponnammal also used to work on farms to supplement the family income as the couple had to raise two more sons. The family saw Thirumurgan inner spark during schooling. He passed the higher secondary examinations with good marks. He got admission in Vivekanada College, Chennai, and Nallathambi and Ponnammal took up work in Chennai to support him. Before he completed graduation, Thirumurgan was selected to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Nallathambi said, “It was very difficult decision to let him go at that age as we educated him with dreams that with him the family’s difficulty would end. Thirumurugan would cheer us by saying he was going to serve the country and that it should make us proud,” said Nallathambi. Thirumurugan joined as a constable in CRPF on August 7, 2000.]]>
