Vajpayee's ashes immersed in 7 rivers of Tripura

The ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were today immersed in seven rivers in the eight districts of Tripura.

BJP General secretary Pratima Bhowmik brought Vajpayee's 'asthi kalash' from New Delhi to Agartala on August 23 and the urn was handed over to Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Deputy CM Jishnu Dev Varma.

The ashes were then given to party leaders of the eight districts for immersion in rivers.

"The ashes were immersed in the Gomati river in Sipahijala and Gomati districts, the Haora in West Tripura, the Khowai in Khowai district, the Deo in Dhalai district, the Manu in Unakoti district, the Kakri in North Tripura and the Muhuri in South Tripura district," Bhowmik told reporters.

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who is also state president of the BJP, said a 'mahayajna' was organized to pray for the departed soul.

"Vajpayee ji was not just a prime minister. He was a true statesman and worked extensively for the nation. This mahayajna is the tradition of India. I believe our society and country will get strength from this," Deb told reporters.