Havildar Elumalai cremated at native village

Vellore: Hundreds of villagers of Adukkamparai in Kaniyambadi taluk, close relatives and friends watched the cremation with full military honours accorded to late Havildar Elumalai.

Elumalai was struck by a massive avalanche at Siachen glacier and killed last week. On Monday, his body and those of two other soldiers Ganesh and Kumar were flown down to Chennai and received by the Southern Regiment I/C Jagbir Singh who paid his salute at the airport and dispatched them to their native places.

The body of Elumalai was brought to his native village Adukkamparai on Tuesday. Residents and friends placed wreaths on his body. In the evening, full military honours was accorded before the body was laid to rest.

In the morning, TN minister for school education K.C.Veeramani visited Elumalai’s house, placed a wreath on the body and handed over a cheque for Rs 10 lakh to his wife.

He also handed over the condolence letter written by Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa to the family. District Collector Dr R.Nanthagopal, MLAs Kalai Arasu and K.G.Ramesh, Brigadier A.V.Mohan, Lt.Col. Sachin Karnic, Major Prakash, Subedar Isakki, Vellore Mayor P.Karthiyayini, Vellore tahsildar Vijayan and hundreds of people paid their tributes.