Jagatsinghpur/Niali: Thousands of people paid homage to Odia martyred jawans of CRPF who laid down their live for the country in Pulwama terrorist attack recently, at their native villages yesterday evening ahead of their last rites.
Mortal remains of the martyrs Manoj Kumar Behera and Prasanna Kumar Sahu were consigned to the flames at their respective villages in Ratnapur in Cuttack and Shikhar village in Jagatsinghpur districts with full state honour and tearful adieu by family members and villagers.
Union Minister Jual Oram and State Health Minister Pratap Jena attended the last rites performing of martyr Manoj Behera at his village crematorium where his younger brother lit the pyre. Jena also handed over a cheque of Rs 25 lakh to the next of kin of Behera during his visit as ex gratia.
Similarly, martyr Prasanna Kumar Sahu was cremated at his native village Shikhar village late on Saturday. A huge crowd turn up to pay the last visit to the martyr ahead of last rights performing and chanted slogans for the heavenly abode for the departed soul.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and State Finance Minister Shashi Bhusan Behera also remained present during the lighting of the pyre of Sahu. Behera handed over a cheque of Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to the bereaved family of the martyr.
Kalinga AI