Thousands bade a tearful adieu to the slain police sub-inspector, Mallikarjun Bande, at his native village Khajuri in Aland taluk of the district on Thursday evening.
Bande died of injuries he sustained in an encounter with anti-social elements in Gulbarga city last week. He was buried with full State honours around 4.30 pm. Home Minister K J George, who attended the funeral, faced the wrath of the mourners as they staged a protest against the way the shootout was planned and executed. They threw stones at three vehicles.
Meanwhile, George announced several benefits for Bande’s family. He said the family would continue to get his salary until his scheduled retirement. This would amount to about Rs 65 lakh. He also promised a residential site to the family wherever it wished. The government would also recommend Bande for a gallantry award.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, announced in New Delhi that compensation to Bande’s family had been increased to Rs 50 lakh. George said the government would also fund the education of Bande’s two children. “We have made it clear the government will bear all educational expenses of the two children. Whatever they want to study, the government will help them to accomplish it,’’ George said. Other demands like a memorial for the officer and institution of an award in his name would be considered later, the minister added.
Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil and other legislators attended the last rites. Meanwhile, a bandh called by the BJP in Gulbarga to protest against Bande’s death passed off peacefully.
The Commissioner of Bangalore Police, Raghavendra Auradkar, said the City police personnel were ready to donate a day’s salary to the slain sub-inspector’s family.
He announced this during a photo exhibition in Bangalore. A proposal in this regard would be submitted to the DG&IGP and the government. Once they approved it, police personnel would be asked to make voluntary donations, Auradkar added.
A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the slain policeman.
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