Amid tear and anger, thousands bid adieu to martyr Manoj Kumar

(Surjit Dhal Cuttack, Feb 17): Amid tears, anger and anti-Pakistan slogans, thousands of people on Saturday bid adieu to 32-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable Manoj Kumar Behera who was one among the 49 jawans killed in Thursday’s terrorist suicide bomber attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

 The mortal remains of Behera were cremated with full State honours at his native village Ratanpur under Niali block in the district.

 People in large numbers from different localities lined up on both sides of the Phulnakhara-Niali State highway at different places to pay last respect to the martyr.

 Slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, ‘Manoj Kumar Amar Rahe’ rent the air as the body of Manoj, wrapped in tricolour, reached his native village at 8.40PM

  Villagers raised ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ ‘Pakistan Down Down’ slogans while demanding the Centre to give Pakistan a befitting reply for this barbaric act.

  “The Center should take revenge… action against Pakistan first then go for election,” the villagers shouted adding that they would boycott vote if no action is taken to avenge the death their hero.

                The villagers too had criticized the State government for announcing less amount of ex gratia in comparison to the amount of ex-gratia announced by other states and demanded to enhance the same.

  “I am proud of my son for laying down his life for the nation. But, his death should be avenged,” said Manoj’s father Jatadhari Behera.

               A grand funeral procession was taken out from his home to the village cremation ground located at a distance of about half kilometer where the mortal remains of the martyr were consigned to flames.

  “We are deeply saddened and proud at the same time that he laid his life for the country. He was very popular in our village and everybody loved him,” said a villager.

   People from different walks of life including ministers, politicians, senior officials of CRPF and officers of district administration were present to pay their last respects to the martyr.