JOIN USCity bids adieu with 21-gun salute
Hundreds of people paid the last tribute to Delhi Police constable Subhash Chand Tomar as he was cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna here on Tuesday.
Amid prayers and a 21-gun salute, his body was consigned to flames by sons Deepak and Sonu at 3.30 pm.
Tomar was battling for life on ventilator at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Sunday evening. He succumbed to injuries due to respiratory and cardiovascular problems on Tuesday morning.
Minister of state for home affairs R P N Singh, chief minister Sheila Dikshit and union home secretary R K Singh attended the ceremony, and laid wreaths on Tomar’s body.
Senior police officers, including police commissioner Neeraj Kumar, special commissioner of police (law and order) Dharmender Kumar, special commissioner (administration) Bhim Singh Bassi and additional commissioner of police (central) Devesh Chandra Srivastva, were present.
His body, draped in the tri-colour, was brought to Nigambodh Ghat from Lady Hardinge Medical College in a flower bedecked carriage accompanied by family members and police officers. Neeraj Kumar was seen giving shoulder to Tomar’s carriage while being taken to the pyre.
As Kumar was leaving the venue, he was surrounded by the constable’s family and relatives, who demanded financial assistance till he was supposed to retire. Assuring them support, he said facilities available for police officers killed on duty will be provided.
“We are with the constable’s family and we will provide them all kinds of aid. A job in Delhi Police will also be provided to one person appointed by Tomar’s wife on compassionate ground,” Kumar said.
Condolence letters from union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and the minister of state for home affairs were also handed over to Tomar’s 24-year-old daughter, Jyoti, by additional commissioner of police (headquarters) Anil Shukla.
In his condolence message, Shinde said, “I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of constable Subhash Chand Tomar. In this hour, I express my deep condolences and pray to the almighty to give the family members courage and strength to bear the untimely loss.”
Tomar, who is survived by wife Amrish Devi, a daughter and two sons, joined Delhi Police on September 15, 1987.
He was posted with Karawal Nagar police station, and was called for maintaining law and order at India Gate over the protest against the gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapist.
Financial aid to family
Immediate ex-gratia payment of around Rs 20 lakh was announced for Delhi Police constable Subhash Chand Tomar’s family on Tuesday, reports DHNS.
Union home secretary R K Singh announced payment of Rs 10 lakh from Union home ministry, while Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar said cop’s family will receive Rs 5 lakh as Axis Bank life insurance amount and another Rs 3 lakh from Delhi Police Welfare Fund.
He assured that liberal pension, gratuity, the Central Government Employee Scheme fund, and other benefits will also be granted. All Delhi Police officers will also contribute a day’s salary to his family.
Kumar announced that people can also make donation in a Punjab National Bank account held by Tomar’s wife Amrish Devi — 3927000100161800.
“Cheque can be sent for Amrish Devi to additional commissioner of police (headquarters) Anil Shukla,” Kumar said. Delhi Police retired Gazetted Officers' Association has also decided to contribute a day’s pension of its members to Subhash’s family.