Thousands of people bid tearful farewell to Sarabjit Singh, as he was cremated on Friday at his native village Bhikhiwind with full state honours.
His last rites were performed by his sister Dalbir Kaur as per Sikh tradition. People gathered for the last rites shouted anti-Pakistan slogans as soon as the pyre was lit.
Top leaders from Delhi as well as the state, apart from the masses from across Punjab, gathered at this border town’s cremation ground.
The police had a tough time controlling the sea of humanity that had converged.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal, minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur, Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa attended the cremation.
The body was draped in the tricolour and the gun shots were fired to pay respect to the “son of the soil” who spent more than 22 years in a Pakistani jail. Meanwhile, there had been condemnations and protests across the country, especially in Punjab as people burnt the effigies of Pakistani leaders and raised slogans. The huge cavalcade of cars and vehicles blocked roads in this small town in Tarn Taran district.
A 21-gun salute was fired and Sarbjit’s coffin was carried through village streets which were lined up with thousands of people.
Earlier, Sarabjit’s body was kept in a local school where thousands paid their respects.
The Punjab government has announced a three-day state mourning for
Sarabjit. He was declared ‘national martyr’ in sepcial Punjab assembly
session this morning.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced a financial grant
of Rs.1 crore for Sarabjit’s family. He said Punjab would give
government jobs to both his daughters.
The family has also been given grant of Rs 25 lakh from Prime
Minister’s relief fund.
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The emergency session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha today declared Sarabjit
Singh “a martyr of the nation”.
The session began at 10.30am lasted fifteen minutes and no other
discussion or debate took place on any other issue in assembly.
Badal described Sarabjit Singh as “a national martyr” who suffered
unspeakable repression and torture with dignity.
The Chief Minister yesterday announced that Sarabjit’s body will be
cremated with full state honours. The Chief Minster said that the
Punjab government will provide government jobs to Sarabjit Singh’s two
daughters. “We will also stand by the family for whatever help they
need.” The resolution also asked the Centre to “ The house also urged
union government to initiate strong and effective diplomatic efforts”
to ensure the safety of prisoners belonging to India and those of
Indian-origin lodged in prisons of Pakistan and other countries.
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