Last rites of four jawans performed with state honour

The last rites of the four army jawans, who were killed by Pakistani troops, were today performed with full state honour in their respective native villages of Bihar.

While funeral of Vijay Rai took place in his village in Maner block of Patna district, that of Shambhu Saran Singh in Bhojpur district and Prem Nath Singh and Raghunandan Prasad in Saran district.

Last rites of Vijay Rai was performed on the bank of the river Ganga at his native village Bayapur in Maner block of Patna district. His six-year-old son Vivek lit the funeral pyre amid chant of hymns and slogan "Vijay Rai Amar Rahe."

His colleagues from Danapur regiment and those from Bihar police also paid their respect to the departed soul.

Thousands of people from the jawan's village and adjacent areas gathered at the funeral site to pay their respect to the departed soldier. Slogans lauding Vijay Rai and anger against Pakistan for the audacious killing of soldiers rant the air.

Yesterday, the wife of Vijay Rai had refused to take the Rs 10 lakh compensation offered by the state government and demanded military action instead.

Bihar Industries Minister Renu Kushwaha laid a wreath on behalf of the state government.

Political leaders from different parties including Ravi Shankar Prasad and C P Thakur (BJP), Bhai Birendra (RJD) besides senior officials were present.

Lokjanshakti Party (LJP) President Ramvilas Paswan visited the house of the slain jawan and condoled Vijay Rai's death.

The bodies of the four soldiers were flown by a special Air Force plane at the Jai Prakash Narayan airport here late last night.