DHARMAPURI: Hundreds of people gave a tearful farewell as the body of the BSF martyr, A. Suresh, was laid to rest on Friday at his native Bandarachettipatti village in Dharmapuri district.
"You could see all the villagers taking part in his funeral because we all love him the most because of his good nature," grieving M.Thirumalai told DC.
Thirumalai (34), a school teacher of Nathamedu government higher secondary school added, "he was in the habit of spending his own money for promoting sports activity among the village children to see that they do not get involved in other issues."
The 42-year-old Suresh, a head constable in BSF was killed near the international border in RS Pura sector. Suresh died late on Wednesday night in the attack by the Pakistani troops on the Indian post violating ceasefire.
The BSF martyr's body was flown down to Coimbatore and then transported to his native village by road. The body reached Bandarachettipatti in the early hours of Friday.
State Higher Education minister K.P.Anbalagan paid his last respects to the deceased head constable who had been serving BSF for over 22 years since 1995.
Anbalagan also handed over a cheque worth Rs. 20 lakh to Janaki (30), the widow of the head constable Suresh. The solatium was announced by the Chief Minister, Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, soon after the news about the death of Suresh reached his office on Thursday.
The Dharmapuri collector K.Vivekanandan and the district SP, Bandi Gangadhar placed wreaths on the wooden coffin that was not opened for obvious reasons.
The coffin containing Suresh's body was kept in the Army vehicle and taken in procession till the burial ground and where his family people performed the final rites, as per the family custom.
A contingent of BSF men fired 21 rounds pointing the gun towards the sky as respect for the martyr. Then, Suresh body was lowered into the burial pit.
The deceased Suresh is survived by his wife Janaki (30), daughter Punnagai (13), son Aadarsh (5), Suresh's father 70-year-old Ayyasamy and mother 65-year-old Sallammal.
